The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) apparently believes there is merit to a lawsuit filed by Guðlaugur Jakob Karlsson, an Icelandic man who says the state government caused his gambling problems by allowing the operation of slot machines.
According to the Iceland Review, Guðlaugur contends that slot machine licenses issued by the government violate Article 183 of the state penal code, which prohibits gambling. He is demanding ISK 76,800,000 (US$623,000) for emotional and financial harms, in addition to the cost of legal expenses. His lawyer Þórður Sveinsson says the case is on the ECHR’s agenda, though it is not yet known when it will be processed.
Guðlaugur initially sued for damages in 2016. The Reykjavík District Court dismissed the case in October of 2017. The ruling was confirmed by the Court of Appeal in October 2018. Guðlaugur then applied to the Supreme Court of Iceland for right of appeal, but his application was rejected. Þórður says the case raises various questions about the legislation concerning gambling in Iceland.
“Slot machines are allowed, which are defined as the most extreme form of gambling. And then people are charged for inviting others to play roulette and poker for money,” he stated.
