The European Union's top court has ruled that users of online gambling services within the EU can sue the betting operator for reimbursement of their losses if such gambling was prohibited in their home country when they placed the bets.
The ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) paves the way for a German citizen seeking reimbursement for losses incurred when online slot machines and lottery prediction betting were illegal in Germany between June 2019 and July 2021.
The ECJ ruled that member states are within their rights to outlaw or restrict such gambling individually, even though EU law permits it. The court also said that a subsequent change in the laws to allow such betting does not affect the issue.
The ruling means that gamblers who lost money on online slot machines and lottery prediction betting when it was illegal in their home country can seek refunds and could be eligible for them if domestic courts rule in their favor.
Thursday's rulings could pave the way for other Germans, or EU residents in similar situations, who lost money gambling illegally online to try to reclaim their losses.