German states join forces for online gambling framework

German lawmakers have struck an interstate agreement to create a new national gambling framework for online activities and sports betting.

The country’s 16 states will now work on the new treaty, which will comply with European Union business and competition laws, thus repealing a 2012 gambling act that has been the source of frustration for operators in Germany.

The uncapped framework will also signal the end of the country’s sports betting operator licence system, which is capped at just 20 companies.

In response to the agreement, Mathias Dahms, president of the German Betting Association, said: “For years, the serious sports betting providers have emphasised that a limited limitation of the concessions is constitutional and European.

“With the introduction of a genuine system of authorisation, legal certainty can finally be established.

“The declarations of intent must now be implemented consistently.

“For this, a new gambling contract with a new system is needed: the European sports betting monopoly should not only be suspended temporarily, but completely abolished.”

Related article: William Hill, bet-at-home sign up to German Betting Association