Malta and Bill 55: why enforcement could become easier again

Many online casinos have their registered office in Malta. Anyone wanting to enforce a judgment there has for some time run into a particular obstacle that became known as Bill 55. Now there is movement on the matter.

What Bill 55 is about

Malta passed a law that prohibits Maltese courts from recognising or enforcing foreign judgments against gambling operators licensed in Malta. For affected persons this meant that even a case won in their own country could only be turned into actual payments in Malta with difficulty.

Two important developments

• The European Commission opened formal proceedings against Malta in June 2025. It regards Bill 55 as a breach of European law.
• On 23 April 2026, the Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) presented his assessment in a relevant case. He considers Bill 55 to be clearly incompatible with European law. Malta cannot rely on the argument that foreign courts had applied EU law incorrectly.

The Advocate General’s assessment is not yet a judgment, but it sets a clear direction.

What this means for affected persons

Should the Court follow this line, the enforcement of foreign judgments in Malta will become easier again. For people who lost money with an operator without a national licence, the prospects of actually enforcing a judgment that has been obtained will improve.

It remains important not to wait too long, because claims can become time-barred. We assess your case free of charge and, if successful, take over the enforcement, including a possible enforcement abroad. The proceedings are conducted by cooperating lawyers. If successful, R. M. Prozessfinanzierung GmbH retains from 35 percent of the amount obtained, and the remaining amount is paid out to you.

Read more on the Online casino and gambling page.