Germany releases draft of State Treaty on Gambling

[The Buzz]

A draft of the Third German State Treaty on Gambling has been published, with the prime ministers of Germany set to discuss the draft at their conference on 21 March when they are expected to sign it.

The State Treaty will then have to be ratified by all participating states until the end of the year.

From global law firm DLA Piper:

The amendment is intended to allow issuing new (online and offline) sports betting licences. This includes:

• Extending the so-called experimental phase for sports betting from 30 June 2019 to 30 June 2021 with the possibility to extend up to 30 June 2024.
• Removing the quota system for sports betting licences to allow issuing more than just 20 licences.
• Entry into force on 1 January 2020 if all participating German states ratify the treaty until 31 December 2019.

With these amendments the German states want to provide clarity for sports betting operators and involved third parties, including payment service providers, the media and sports clubs. The gambling authority of Hesse is expected to start the licensing procedure as soon as possible in order to ensure issuing the licenses in January 2020.

At the same time with issuing new licences, the gambling authorities will be instructed to prohibit unlicensed sports betting nationwide. This includes revoking a licence if the operator offers any unlicensed gambling next to the licensed sports betting.

Click here to read the Treaty (in German): https://www.landtag.nrw.de/Dokumente...MMV17-1760.pdf

[Cash Bonus]

All casino operators should have licences to run their businesses and if they don't, well then it should be compulsory that they do.

[gil.langelaan]

So they understood that having only 20 licenses is not exactly a free market solution and people will operate illegally anyways?

[e_abrams]

Will this be ratified for sure?