Press Release: Hungarian legislation which prohibits the operation of slot machines outside casinos may be contrary to the principle of freedom to provide services

Report on the Judgment in Case C-98/14. Berlington Hungary Tanácsadó és Szolgáltató Kft. and Others v Magyar Állam.

When the national legislature revokes a licence that allows its holder to exercise an economic activity, it must provide a reasonable compensation system or a transitional period of sufficient length to enable that holder to adapt.

The Court finds that national legislation which authorises the operation and playing of certain games of chance only in casinos constitutes a restriction on the freedom to provide services.