Placanica: Combating Criminality vs. Reducing Gambling Opp Ortunities as Grounds for Justification in the EC J’s Jurisprudence

Abstract

Gambling has been familiar territory for the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for several years now. This chapter outlines the case law of the Court of Justice prior to the Placanica judgment, devoting particular attention to the grounds for justification invoked. Placanica is then examined at length. This recent judgment is discussed and interpreted in the light of existing case law, with the emphasis on analysing the grounds for justification invoked. Following a brief explanation of the different place occupied by gambling in the logic of the Court of Justice and in the public order of the Member States, the chapter discusses the impact of the case law on betting and gaming legislation in Belgium, the Netherlands and France. Keywords: Belgium; case law; European Court of Justice (ECJ); France; gambling; Member States; Netherlands; Placanica