25.7.2008
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News
Liberal decision of the Commission on gambling
The Court of Justice (“ECJ”) ruled that the Italian criminal penalties for the collecting of bets by intermediaries acting on behalf of foreign companies are contrary to community law (Joined Cases C-338/04, C-359/04, C-360/04 Placanica of 6 March 2007).

Under Italian legislation, the organizing of games of chance or the collecting of bets is subject to holding a license and police authorization. Any infringement of those rules carries criminal penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment. The ECJ makes it clear once again that a Member State may not apply a criminal penalty for failure to complete an administrative formality where such completion has been refused or rendered impossible by the Member State concerned, in breach of Community law.
Other articles
28.7.2025
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News
Smetanova Litomyšl Comes to a Close with Music and a Message of Solidarity
This year’s edition of the Smetanova Litomyšl festival concluded with the concert Grand Finale – An American Story, held under the patronage of our firm. In addition to delivering a remarkable musical experience, the evening also served a charitable purpose: proceeds supported the Olga Havel Foundation (Výbor dobré vůle – Nadace Olgy Havlové), helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue their education.
8.7.2025
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News
Advising J&T on the preparation of another bond programme – the Europacity Berlin project.
KŠB provided legal advice to its long-standing client, the J&T group, in connection with the preparation of another bond programme, this time related to the Europacity Berlin project. The base prospectus has already been approved by the Czech National Bank, and the first final terms have been prepared for an issue in the amount of CZK 3 billion. The advisory team at KŠB included Josef Kříž, under the partner supervision of Martin Krejčí. Vlastimil Pihera.
7.7.2025
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News
A Distinguished June Visit to KŠB: Gisela Bergmann, Princess of Liechtenstein
Before the start of the summer holidays, we had the honour of welcoming an exceptional guest to our Prague office – Gisela Bergmann, Princess of Liechtenstein, CEO and managing director of Industrie- und Finanzkontor Ets., a leading Liechtenstein-based trust company with a long tradition and extensive experience in protecting family wealth and values.