The minister added that if the ratification does not occur in all states, then the regulations can’t be applied on a national level, and the current regulations would continue, along with the existing problems.
"The prime ministers of all the federal states have agreed on changes to the gaming contract, which was a month-long struggle and a process of weighing up the debts, mainly to address the problems of enforcement that we have with the current regulations – online casinos and sports betting – and to ensure consumer protection. Saxony-Anhalt is in favour of this gaming agreement with its amendments. It is now important to ensure ratification.”
Torsten Meinberg, leader of the state lottery trade association, German Lotto and Totoblock, was quoted in local media as commenting: "If the treaty is not ratified, sports betting will remain grey and illegal gambling cannot be effectively controlled. Foreign gambling providers without a German licence are massively attacking the public-oriented gambling game and ignoring consumer protection. Speedy action is required”.
Earlier this year, the European Commission dismissed Germany’s plans to overhaul its online gambling market as: "not a viable solution.”