LUXEMBOURG, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Portuguese state monopoly on betting may comply with European Union law, the European Court of Justice said in a ruling on Tuesday.
"The prohibition which Portuguese legislation imposes on operators such as bwin (operator of betandwin.com) of offering games of chance via the Internet may be regarded as compatible with the freedom to provide services," the EU's top court said in a statement. The ruling concerns a legal dispute between the Portuguese state betting monopoly, Santa Casa, and Austrian online gambling group bwin.
Santa Casa had sought to break up a sponsorship deal involving the Portuguese football league that allowed the Austrian online betting group to advertise website links to fans. (Reporting by Michele Sinner)