'We would veto this without hesitation' – Casa on EU online gambling tax proposal

A future PN government would immediately veto any EU-level online gaming tax, David Casa, head of the PN delegation in the European Parliament, promised on Wednesday.

Addressing the plenary during a debate on a proposal to create an EU tax on online gaming, Casa raised concerns over the Socialist-led proposals relating to finding funding for the European Union’s future own resources framework, strongly criticising what he described as a legally unsound and economically damaging approach.

He criticised the proposal which would place EU-licensed operators at a competitive disadvantage while incentivising the relocation of businesses to third countries and pushing consumers toward unregulated and illegal grey markets.

“As things stand, this approach would prejudice compliant EU-based companies that already operate under robust regulatory standards and consumer protection frameworks. Rather than strengthening the European market, it risks exporting business outside the Union and push consumers to illegal operators who operate with impunity, pay no taxes and don’t even apply the most basic consumer safeguards,” Casa stressed.

He placed particular emphasis on the significance of the online gaming sector to the Maltese economy. More than 10% of Malta’s GDP is linked to the sector, which supports thousands of highly skilled jobs and livelihoods, he noted.

“No other Member State comes close to Malta’s level of economic exposure in this area. Malta would therefore be among the countries most negatively affected by misguided policies that drive investment and employment away from Europe,” he said.

His remarks also underscored the institutional reality that EU own resources require unanimity among Member States. He described the proposal as “a non-starter”.

Casa added that while he cannot speak to the determination of the present government in view of this proposal being Socialist-led, a future Nationalist government would firmly oppose any such measure at EU level, saying it would move quickly to “veto it without hesitation”.

He concluded by encouraging the proponents not to waste their time and to instead focus on identifying alternative own resources that do not undermine legitimate industries, economic competitiveness, or European jobs.

Watch David Casa's address to the plenary here.