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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13620
Contents Publication in full By article 27 / 32
NEWS BRIEFS / State aid

Belgium did not grant state aid to Ladbrokes for virtual betting, according to European Commission 

11/04/2025 (Agence Europe) – Ladbrokes has not received any State aid from Belgium in the form of virtual betting operating rights, the European Commission concluded on Friday 11 April. In September 2020, following a complaint lodged by operators in the games of chance sector, the Commission opened an in-depth investigation to determine whether the Belgian Gaming Commission had granted Ladbrokes exclusive rights to operate virtual betting, in breach of EU state aid rules (see EUROPE 12551/9). In the Commission’s view, the informal e-mail replies sent by the Belgian Gaming Commission to Ladbrokes did not constitute an act granting aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the Treaty. In addition, the Commission found that the Belgian State did not forego resources that should have been paid by Ladbrokes for the operation of virtual betting. (LC) 

Contents

ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
ECONOMY/TRADE: EU countries show caution, firmness and unity to avoid trade war with United States
FINANCE: EU countries agree on urgent need to create a ‘Savings and Investments Union’
EXTERNAL ACTION
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Western Balkans on agenda of EU Foreign Affairs Council on 14 April
SECTORAL POLICIES
CONSUMERS: provisional agreement between EU Council and European Parliament on toy safety rules
ENERGY:  EU Council is ready to negotiate with European Parliament on revision of annual gas storage target
ENERGY: EU to need more LNG than in previous summers to replenish its gas stocks, warns ENTSOG
TRANSPORT: Council of EU adopts its international negotiating position on Railway Rolling Stock
TRANSPORT: Member States of International Maritime Organization agree to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050
TRANSPORT: European Commission study indicates need for more safe and secure parking facilities for professional drivers
RESEARCH: European Union concludes negotiations with Egypt on ‘Horizon Europe’ programme
RESEARCH: European Commission consults on future strategy for artificial intelligence in science
DIGITAL: MEPs Axel Voss and Brando Benifei want European Commission to resurrect AI liability directive
DIGITAL: European Commission launches work on revising the EU cybersecurity regulation
AGRICULTURE: farming organisations call on European Commission to step up pace on ‘RENURE’ fertilisers
HEALTH: European Commission prepares strategy against threats to public health
FISHERIES: Europêche denounces NGO advice to stop buying mackerel caught by EU fleet
REGIONS: EU Local Councillors Network launched by European Committee of the Regions 
MIGRATION: irregular crossings at EU’s external borders down by 31% in first quarter of 2025, according to Frontex
INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET: European Parliament political groups reach their compromise amendments to European Parliament’s own-initiative report on post-2027 MFF
SOCIAL AFFAIRS
SOCIAL/EMPLOYMENT: coordination of social security schemes – Polish Presidency of EU Council obtains revised mandate to try to make progress with European Parliament
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
Interview WOMEN’S RIGHTS: “Financing gender equality around the world is a security policy”, says Chloé Ridel
GENDER EQUALITY: MEPs debate their priorities for EU’s future strategy 
EDUCATION - YOUTH - CULTURE - SPORT
SPORT: Glenn Micallef announces preparation of a communication to strengthen European sports model
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
GEORGIA: Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly raises its voice against decline of democracy in Georgia
FUTURE OF EUROPE: Council of Europe calls for greater coordination with European Political Community
NEWS BRIEFS
STATE AID: green light for a change to Czech State aid for green district heating
STATE AID: Belgium did not grant state aid to Ladbrokes for virtual betting, according to European Commission 
ALBANIA: Tirana moves towards EU membership and is due to open its second acquis cluster on 14 April this year
TRADE: EU extends its anti-dumping duty on Chinese monosodium glutamate to imports from Malaysia
ENVIRONMENT: young farmers regret lack of guarantees for preservation of their land in Soil Monitoring Directive 
UNITED STATES: Maroš Šefčovič will be in Washington on Monday 14 April
SUDAN: EU repeats call for ceasefire, two years after start of armed conflict