The recent surge in gaming M&A activity (see Drake Star Report, available here) has been matched by a sharp increase in regulatory complexity and unpredictability. No deal illustrates this better than the proposed USD 55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund; a transaction simultaneously navigating merger control, screening by the US Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and FDI scrutiny. This convergence of three distinct regulatory regimes on a single transaction is no anomaly: It reflects a structural shift in how gaming deals are regulated. Companies pursuing transactions in this environment must navigate an increasingly dense web of regulatory hurdles, including merger control, FDI and potentially even the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), depending on the scale of the transaction and whether or not it involves state-backed parties. As authorities tighten their scrutiny, successful deal planning hinges on aligning transaction strategy with the current regulatory landscape.

For the fifth time in ten years, German competition law is facing a comprehensive reform. On 4 June 2026, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy published its draft bill for the 12th Amendment to the Act against Restraints of Competition (ARC). Its aim is to make competition law more efficient with faster procedures and greater enforcement powers for the Federal Cartel Office (FCO). Uncontroversial mergers shall be excluded from the notification regime so that resources are freed up for cases with genuine competitive relevance. This shift in focus is complemented by new tools that were previously not available to the FCO, such as systematic screening of procurement data. What are the key elements of the proposed amendment?

Summer is finally here. Sunlight is breaking through, sidewalk cafés are filling up, and the city is buzzing with energy. As we dust off our favourite pair of shades, we also look back at an incredibly inspiring week: Berlin just hosted the Games Industry Law Summit, bringing together the brightest minds in the sector. The atmosphere at the event made one thing clear: Games do more than entertain. They tell stories, spark imagination, and connect people across borders. However, as the fruitful discussions in Berlin highlighted, it is not all fun and games. They are also increasingly at the centre of regulatory scrutiny that directly affects growth, monetization, distribution and deal strategy.

“Europe needs bold, innovative companies that can compete on the global stage. We have the talent. Now we must build the environment for Europe’s next champions.”, Commission President von der Leyen said yesterday when the draft Merger Guidelines were published.

For the first time in 20 years, the EU Merger Guidelines are undergoing a substantial overhaul. Long discussed, particularly following the publication of the Draghi report on EU competitiveness and the mission letter by President von der Leyen in 2024, the update aims to address transformational shifts that have occurred since the current framework’s inception. These range from digitalisation to decarbonisation, with added urgency stemming from an increasingly complex geopolitical and geoeconomic environment. The publication follows a Call for Evidence that included an initial public consultation launched in May 2025 and a series of stakeholder events held by the Commission. Submissions received from stakeholders over the course of the review process have informed the preparation of the text that was now published.

In a series of upcoming briefings, we will deep dive into the revised framework and its implications for industry stakeholders.

The European Commission (EC) continues to intensify its scrutiny of territorial supply constraints (TSC). On 13 April 2026, it carried out another set of dawn raids in the consumer goods sector, reportedly at two European premises of one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food producers. The inspections closely follow the EC’s decision in May 2024 to impose a fine of EUR 337.5 million on chocolate giant Mondelēz. The allegation in both cases: anticompetitive TSCs imposed on distributors. Both cases fit into a broader pattern of increased antitrust scrutiny of territorial restrictions in the consumer goods sector. What is at stake and what can suppliers do to stay out of the spotlight?

Amongst the pressing topics regarding the Defence Industry and the current challenges it faces is the question how competition policy can contribute to Europe’s security.

BLOMSTEIN advised Dragsbæk A/S, a subsidiary of Orkla Food Ingredients and a Danish producer of hybrid dairy products and specialty fats, on merger control and foreign direct investment aspects in connection with its acquisition of Vortella Lebensmittelwerk W. Vortmeyer GmbH.

BLOMSTEIN hat für Fastned einen richtungsweisenden Erfolg im Streit um die Errichtung von elektrischer Schnellladeinfrastruktur an bewirtschafteten Autobahnraststätten in Deutschland erzielt. Das Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf hat heute entschieden, dass die im Jahr 2022 erfolgte milliardenschwere Erweiterung bestehender Konzessionen zur Errichtung von Schnellladeinfrastruktur zugunsten des Unternehmens Tank & Rast vergaberechtswidrig war.

Digital finance and mobile payments already account for a material chunk of retail financial transactions. Fintech adoption rates are rising in all major markets. With this comes a scramble for a share of the profits, market share and control of technological bottlenecks. In recent years, Big Tech has made steady inroads into financial services. Tech giants are using their ecosystems, technological advantages and access to large amounts of data to increase their foothold in the financial industry. Can the Digital Markets Act (DMA) shift the balance of power in this competition? All signs point to yes: The DMA creates unprecedented commercial opportunities, especially for digital and mobile payment providers and banks. These include access to data and interfaces such as NFC chips in mobile devices, safeguards ensuring non-discriminatory placement and other entry points into the ecosystems of digital gatekeepers. Some notable players are already gearing up to launch new products and reap the 'DMA dividend'. Our briefing explains which doors the DMA opens up for digital finance.

2026 marks the year of implementation and strategic recalibration for many of the regulatory projects initiated under the previous Commission. Key regulations shift from concept to enforcement and transition to practical compliance obligations for the consumer goods and retail industry: Under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, sustainability and transparency requirements will become binding, and the Empowering Consumers Directive imposes stricter standards on packaging design and environmental claims.