European Court turns down German betting limitations

8 September 2010

German gaming restrictions breach European Union law, the EU's highest court has actually ruled.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) stated German laws that secure state monopolies for gaming were "unjustifiable".
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The judgment might break the ice for foreign wagering companies to develop a presence in Germany.

A lobby group representing gambling firms, consisting of PartyGaming and Bwin, called the judgement a "landmark".

German authorities have actually validated wagering monopolies by stating that they assist protect customers from the negative effects of betting.
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But the ECJ stated this promotion code was inconsistent with Germany's promo and "extensive advertising" of its gaming operations.
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The court said: "the yohaig code German guidelines on sporting bets constitute a restriction on the freedom to bet9ja's welcome offer services and the liberty of facility.
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"The public monopoly of the organisation of sporting bets and lottery games in Germany does not pursue the objective of combating the dangers of betting in a constant and systematic way."

Several foreign wagering companies, consisting of Britain's Happy Bet and Gibraltar's Digibet, brought a case against German local authorities in Hesse and northern Schleswig-Holstein.
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The European Gaming and Betting Association invited the judgment.
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"This is a landmark judgment which will have a definitive effect on the much-needed reform in Germany," it stated in a statement.
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"Other member states have actually opened or are opening their markets. They reveal that customers can be much better in a market that is both regulated and available to competitors," it stated.

However, European Lotteries, a lobby group for nationwide lotteries in 40 countries, challenged whether the ruling would open the German market.
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"On the contrary," the group stated in a declaration, "the court reminded Germany that it needs to control more strictly the bet9ja's welcome offer of unsafe types of gambling such as casino games and gaming machines.
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"The court pointed once again to the greater threats associated with web betting."

EGBA

European Lotteries