VIE 29 DE MARZO DE 2024 - 07:47hs.
New legislation is analyzed

Germany discusses the future of igaming industry

In order to legalise the online gambling industry in Germany, all states need to implement the proposed Interstate Treaty on Gambling, said André Schröder, Finance Minister for Saxony-Anhalt. It is needed that all 16 states to approve and implement the legislation before January 1, 2018, in order for it to be passed.

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.”

The new State Treaty on Gambling, agreed upon by all states last October, was rejected as the EC considered this solution anti-competitive. The new legislation aimed to lift the previous treaty’s cap on the number of sports betting licences. Previously, those who failed to win one would challenge the decision at court, preventing the government from properly issuing any other betting licence.

Source: GMB / Intergame Online