EU institutions face mounting criticism over transparency issues, with potential ramifications for the gambling industry and other sectors. Recent developments highlight the need for improved access to information and clearer communication from EU bodies.
Key Takeaways:
- Journalists demand better access to EU documents, affecting reporting on various industries.
- Malta’s new gaming law shields local operators from foreign court rulings, raising EU legal concerns.
- European Commission’s handling of transparency requests draws criticism from multiple sources.
Journalists Push for Greater EU Transparency
A group of Brussels-based and European journalists have penned an open letter to the European Commission, expressing frustration over restricted access to documents and slow response times. This lack of transparency hinders reporting on various sectors, including the gambling industry, where timely information is crucial for understanding regulatory changes and market trends.
The letter, addressed to Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, calls for adherence to transparency rules outlined in EU treaties and the Fundamental Rights Charter. Journalists argue that improved access to legislative files would enhance their ability to report on lobbying efforts and law-making processes that impact industries such as online gambling and casino operations.
Malta’s Controversial Gaming Act Raises Eyebrows
In a move that has significant implications for the European gambling landscape, Malta passed a law in June 2023 that protects local gaming companies from complying with court rulings from other EU states. This legislation, known as bill 55, potentially deprives EU citizens of repayments worth hundreds of millions of euros.
The European Commission’s apparent reluctance to address this issue has raised suspicions of undue influence from the gambling industry. Legal experts, including former ECJ Advocate General Miguel Poaires Maduro, argue that Malta’s law violates EU single-market principles. The situation has prompted calls for investigation into why the Commission has seemingly protected the gambling industry’s interests for years.
European Commission Under Fire for Document Access
The Commission’s handling of access to document requests has come under scrutiny in several cases. One notable example involves a three-year saga by EUobserver to obtain information about EU operations in Libya. The Commission’s responses were characterized by heavy redactions and admissions of ignorance regarding the use of EU-funded equipment.
In another case, the Commission’s interpretation of what constitutes a ‘document’ has been questioned, particularly in relation to text messages sent by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This interpretation could have far-reaching consequences for transparency in communications related to various industries, including gambling regulation.
Court Cases and Parliamentary Issues
Transparency advocate Emilio De Capitani is taking the Council of the European Union to court over access to legislative documents. The case, set for a hearing on April 30, could have implications for how EU institutions handle requests for information across all sectors.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament faces its own transparency challenges in a harassment case involving a former MEP. The parliament’s reluctance to share an anti-harassment committee report with victims has been criticized by the EU’s General Court, highlighting broader issues of accountability within EU institutions.
As these transparency issues continue to unfold, their resolution could significantly impact how information about EU decision-making, including matters related to the gambling industry, is accessed and reported on in the future.
