European Court declines German gaming constraints

8 September 2010

German betting constraints breach European Union law, the yohaig code EU's highest court has actually ruled.

the yohaig code European Court of Justice (ECJ) said German laws that protect state monopolies for gambling were "unjustifiable".

The ruling could break the ice for foreign betting companies to establish a presence in Germany.

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

German authorities have validated wagering monopolies by saying that they assist secure customers from the unfavorable effects of betting.

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

the yohaig code court said: "The German guidelines on sporting bets make up a restriction on the freedom to bet9ja's welcome offer services and the liberty of establishment.

"the yohaig code general public monopoly of the organisation of sporting bets and lotteries in Germany does not pursue the goal of combating the dangers of betting in a consistent and systematic manner."

Several foreign wagering companies, consisting of Britain's Happy Bet and Gibraltar's Digibet, brought a case versus German local authorities in Hesse and northern Schleswig-Holstein.

The European Gaming and Betting Association invited the ruling.

"this promotion code is a landmark judgment which will have a decisive effect on the much-needed reform in Germany," it stated in a declaration.

"Other member states have actually opened or are opening their markets. They reveal that consumers can be better safeguarded in a market that is both controlled and open up to competition," it said.

However, European Lotteries, a lobby group for national lottos in 40 countries, disputed whether the ruling would open the German market.

"On the contrary," the group stated in a declaration, "the court advised Germany that it has to manage more strictly the deal of dangerous forms of betting such as casino video games and video gaming devices.

"The court pointed again to the greater dangers related to internet gambling."

EGBA

European Lotteries