Officials in Malta have claimed that Ireland’s new gambling law could inadvertently lead to an increase in black market betting.

The government in Valletta said proposed Irish legislation could prevent certain games being played here, so this could push people towards unregulated modes of gambling.

Malta’s government also claimed proposals to allow Ireland’s new gambling regulator to restrict times when people can bet may be disproportionate “without further empirical evidence, research and justification.”​

It used a European Commission technical regulation information system (TRIS) to voice its concerns. EU member states can use the TRIS to make submissions on proposed laws and changes in other countries to prevent trade barriers occurring.