Malta’s opposition Nationalist Party says it would block any attempt to introduce a European Union-wide online gambling tax, arguing the measure would hurt Malta’s economy and weaken regulated operators across Europe.

Speaking during a European Parliament plenary debate on future EU “own resources,” Nationalist MEP David Casa described the proposal as deeply damaging for member states with large regulated gaming sectors.

“There have been many strange ideas when it comes to own-resources, but this is the worst one so far,” Casa said during his address.

The proposed levy is part of wider EU discussions about creating new funding streams for the bloc’s budget.…