Brussels, 15/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to refer Greece to the European Court of Justice over its ban on the installation and operation of electrical, electromechanical and electronic games, including computer games, in all public and private places - including Internet cafés.
The Commission believes that the Greek legislation is disproportionate and incompatible with the provisions of the EC Treaty on the free movement of goods and services and the freedom of establishment. by banning the games themselves, the Greek law has prevented games lawfully produced or marketed in other Member States from being imported and marketed in Greece and the Greek law in question should have been notified to the Commission in advance pursuant to Directive 98/34/CE (technical rules for online goods and services).