Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba has urged the European Commission to intervene over what he described as a “serious breach” of EU law by Austrian civil courts, which he says are undermining Malta’s sovereignty and its gaming industry.
In a letter to Internal Market Commissioner Michael McGrath, Agius Saliba raised concerns after several gaming companies licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) flagged legal decisions taken by Austria’s Supreme Court and the Salzburg District Court. These rulings, he said, have extended Austrian jurisdiction beyond its national borders, with orders being enforced against assets located in Malta.
According to the companies, Austrian courts have issued judgments in favour of Austrian players and sought to recover gambling losses directly from Malta-licensed operators and third parties acting on their behalf. In some cases, the firms claim they were excluded from proceedings and denied the chance to defend themselves.
Agius Saliba described the practice as “unacceptable”, warning that it “sets a dangerous precedent” by eroding the principle of territoriality in international law and bypassing EU enforcement procedures. “These rulings amount to a serious interference in Malta’s sovereignty, compromising the integrity of its regulatory framework while undermining trust in Austrian judicial institutions,” he said.
He called on the Commission to investigate whether Austria’s enforcement measures are compatible with EU law and to provide clarity to ensure the single market is not distorted. “Only then can we reassure affected companies and safeguard Malta’s gaming industry,” Agius Saliba added.