European Court Rejects German Gambling Restrictions
European Court rejects German betting limitations
8 September 2010
German gambling limitations breach European Union law, the EU's highest court has actually ruled.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said German laws that safeguard state monopolies for gambling were "unjustifiable".
The judgment could open the way for foreign betting business to develop an existence in Germany.
A lobby group representing gaming firms, including PartyGaming and Bwin, called the judgement a "landmark".
German authorities have actually justified wagering monopolies by stating that they help safeguard consumers from the negative impacts of betting.
But the ECJ said this was irregular with Germany's promo and "intensive advertising" of its gambling operations.
The court said: "The German guidelines on sporting bets make up a limitation on the liberty to provide services and the freedom of facility.
"The public monopoly of the organisation of sporting bets and lotteries in Germany does not pursue the objective of combating the dangers of gambling in a constant and methodical manner."
Several foreign betting business, 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 welcomed the ruling.
"This is a landmark ruling which will have a decisive influence 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 secured in a market that is both managed and open up to competitors," it said.
However, European Lotteries, a lobby group for nationwide lottos in 40 countries, challenged whether the judgment would open the German market.
European Court rejects German betting limitations
8 September 2010
German gambling limitations breach European Union law, the EU's highest court has actually ruled.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said German laws that safeguard state monopolies for gambling were "unjustifiable".
The judgment could open the way for foreign betting business to develop an existence in Germany.
A lobby group representing gaming firms, including PartyGaming and Bwin, called the judgement a "landmark".
German authorities have actually justified wagering monopolies by stating that they help safeguard consumers from the negative impacts of betting.
But the ECJ said this was irregular with Germany's promo and "intensive advertising" of its gambling operations.
The court said: "The German guidelines on sporting bets make up a limitation on the liberty to provide services and the freedom of facility.
"The public monopoly of the organisation of sporting bets and lotteries in Germany does not pursue the objective of combating the dangers of gambling in a constant and methodical manner."
Several foreign betting business, 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 welcomed the ruling.
"This is a landmark ruling which will have a decisive influence 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 secured in a market that is both managed and open up to competitors," it said.
However, European Lotteries, a lobby group for nationwide lottos in 40 countries, challenged whether the judgment would open the German market.