european-court-rejects-german-gambling-restrictions

European Court rejects German betting limitations

8 September 2010
bet9ja.com
German gaming limitations breach European Union law, the EU's highest court has ruled.
bet9ja.com
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said German laws that safeguard state monopolies for betting were "unjustifiable".
bet9ja.com
The ruling might open the method for foreign wagering companies to establish an existence in Germany.

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

German authorities have actually validated betting monopolies by saying that they assist safeguard customers from the unfavorable results of betting.

But the ECJ said this promotion code was irregular with Germany's promo and "intensive marketing" of its gambling operations.

The court said: "The German rules on sporting bets constitute a limitation on the freedom to supply services and the flexibility of establishment.
bet9ja.com
"The general public monopoly of the organisation of sporting bets and lotteries in Germany does not pursue the objective of combating the risks of betting in a constant and systematic manner."
bet9ja.com
Several foreign wagering business, consisting of Britain's Happy Bet and Gibraltar's Digibet, brought a case versus German local authorities in Hesse and northern Schleswig-Holstein.
bit.ly
The European Gaming and Betting Association welcomed the judgment.

"this promotion code is a landmark judgment which will have a definitive impact on the much-needed reform in Germany," it stated in a statement.

"Other member states have actually opened or are opening their markets. They reveal that customers can be better secured in a market that is both and available to competition," it said.
bet9ja.com
However, European Lotteries, a lobby group for national lottery games in 40 nations, disputed whether the ruling would open the German market.
bet9ja.com
"On the contrary," the group stated in a declaration, "the court advised Germany that it needs to manage more strictly the bet9ja's welcome offer of hazardous types of betting such as gambling establishment video games and video gaming makers.
bit.ly
"The court pointed again to the yohaig code higher dangers related to internet betting."
bet9ja.com
EGBA

European Lotteries