European Court declines German gambling limitations

8 September 2010

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

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said German laws that protect state monopolies for betting were "unjustifiable".
bet9ja.com
The ruling could break the yohaig code ice for foreign wagering business to develop an existence in Germany.
bet9ja.com
A lobby group representing gaming firms, consisting of PartyGaming and Bwin, called the judgement a "landmark".
bit.ly
German authorities have validated wagering monopolies by stating that they assist safeguard customers from the negative impacts of betting.

But the yohaig code ECJ stated this was inconsistent with Germany's yohaig promotion code and "extensive marketing" of its gaming operations.
bet9ja.com
The court said: "the yohaig code German rules on sporting bets constitute a limitation on the liberty to supply services and the liberty of facility.
bet9ja.com
"The public monopoly of the organisation of sporting bets and lottos in Germany does not pursue the objective of combating the of gambling in a constant and systematic manner."
bet9ja.com
Several foreign betting business, consisting of Britain's Happy Bet and Gibraltar's Digibet, brought a case against German local authorities in Hesse and northern Schleswig-Holstein.

The European Gaming and Betting Association welcomed the yohaig code ruling.

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

"Other member states have opened or are opening their markets. They show that customers can be better protected in a market that is both controlled and open up to competitors," it stated.
bet9ja.com
However, European Lotteries, a lobby group for nationwide lottos in 40 nations, disputed whether the ruling would open the German market.

"On the contrary," the group stated in a statement, "the court advised Germany that it needs to manage more strictly the yohaig code deal of harmful types of gambling such as casino video games and video gaming machines.

"The court pointed once again to the greater risks associated with internet gambling."
bit.ly
EGBA

European Lotteries
bet9ja.com