EU court says Valencian gambling restrictions must meet proportionality tests

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on Valencian gambling restrictions following a preliminary reference from the regional High Court, reportedly by 20 October 2025. The measures, including distance rules, a moratorium on new licences and limits on gaming machines, do not in principle breach EU law if they pursue legitimate aims and are proportionate. The regional court must assess whether the restrictions meet those tests; SOS Hostelería president Fidel Molina welcomed the ruling and said it limits arbitrary regulation.