The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg ruled that Swedish rules punishing promoters of foreign Internet gambling services are illegal. While Sweden is justified in imposing restrictions on the promotion of games of chance offered abroad and unlicensed gambling services at home, it can't impose tougher sanctions for the promotion of gambling organized outside the country.

If the persons carrying out the promotion of gambling organized in Sweden without a license incur penalties which are less strict than those imposed on the persons who advertise gambling organized in other member states, then the Swedish arrangements are discriminatory” the UE court ruled, according to an e-mailed statement. As for now spokeswoman for the Swedish government Anna Charlotta Johansson refused to comment. Germany and Sweden are among countries which have been threatened by the European Commission to loosen some of their restrictions.