It is already clear that the wrong message is being sent with the recent ruling issued by the European Court of Justice.  The court sided with Portugal because it was trying to put the point across that countries within the European Union have the right to restrict online casinos, but only in an effort to control and prevent fraud and crime.  However it seems that domestic gambling establishments are taking it as a sign that European governments have the right to restrict and prohibit online casinos at their whim.

According to Friedrich Stickler, president of the European Lotteries, the ruling is a “great victory.  Stickler believes the ruling “explicitly states that governments can prohibit commercial online gambling operators such as Bwin from offering games of chance via the Internet.”

Unfortunately Stickler is not wrong; his point of view just is not what the court intended.  However, the ruling does almost give the 27 countries of the European Union the right to pass any form of protective legislation under the guise of it being a necessary measure to prevent fraud.  This will only encourage and prolong the monopoly trend that has been so popular in Europe with regards to online casinos.

A unit of Bwin has been fined $107,000 dollars by the Portugal gambling authority for concluding a sponsorship deal with a Portuguese football league back in August 2005.  To the winner goes the spoils.  However it is unlikely that Bwin will simply through in the towel after this ruling.  Regulation regarding online casinos is young yet, even in Europe.