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EU Court Allows Compensation for Illegal Online Gambling Losses

4/17/2026

Summary

EU Court Empowers Gamblers

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on April 16, 2026, that online gamblers can seek compensation for losses from illegal gambling.
EU residents may sue operators such as Lottoland for reimbursement of illegal-gambling losses.
The Court also confirmed member states can ban online gambling even if companies hold EU licenses.
Germany has since legalized online gambling, but the ruling notes that prior bans remain valid.

Summary

EGBA Opposes Online Levy

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) criticized the proposed EU-wide online gaming levy as "fundamentally unworkable."
The levy is designed to generate new revenue for the EU budget.
The European Parliament’s Budget Committee discussed the proposal.
EGBA warned the levy would burden legal operators and push competition toward illegal operators.
The committee's vote was preliminary, with a full vote expected later this month and budget talks to follow.

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EU Court Empowers Gamblers

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on April 16, 2026, that online gamblers can seek compensation for losses from illegal gambling.
EU residents may sue operators such as Lottoland for reimbursement of illegal-gambling losses.
The Court also confirmed member states can ban online gambling even if companies hold EU licenses.
Germany has since legalized online gambling, but the ruling notes that prior bans remain valid.

1 / 2