North Rhine-Westphalia Joins Gambling Treaty

Monday November 12, 2012 :  ANOTHER GERMAN STATE JOINS GAMBLING TREATY (Update)
 
Despite concern over its compatibility with European Union Law
 
The German State of North Rhine-Westphalia has voted in favour of joining the German State Treaty on Online Gaming which allows for legalised sports betting but not online poker.
 
"This will create an attractive alternative offer to illegal online poker and online casino games," said Interior Minister Ralf Jäger.
 
The State Treaty on Online Gaming, which was adopted earlier this year, is expected to be joined by Schleswig-Holstein in the coming days.
 
Schleswig Holstein, who broke away to form its own State Regulation on gaming, forged ahead with the award of 12 sportsbetting licences during this year.  A new coalition Government in the State, however, has lobbied to rejoin the collective State Treaty but will reportedly honor licences already awarded by the previous Government.
 
The German State Gaming Treaty is not without controversy with the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) determining it illegal, despite reforms, under European Union Law.  It currently awaits the outcome of a complaint submitted on behalf of prominent gaming operators.  The country's own German Monopolies Commission has expressed its concern over the Treaty citing incompatibility with EU and German Constitutional Laws along with concerns over the tax framework.