CRUNCH WEEK IN SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN

CRUNCH WEEK IN SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN
 
Repeal of liberal online gambling law on the table in former breakaway German province
 
With parliamentarians returning from the summer recess, the coalition government in Schleswig-Holstein is set to commence legislative procedures this week that could culminate in the repeal of the German state's liberal online gambling regulatory regime, allowing S-H to return to the repressive German Treaty, which prohibits online poker and casino action.
 
Three draft bills are due to go before parliament, although with its slender majority the coalition will be treading carefully.
 
Although the bills do not specifically cancel the seven licenses already issued to foreign companies  it is difficult to see how S-H will finesse re-joining the Treaty whilst licenses under a repealed regulatory law remain in force.
 
The situation continues to confuse, and is exacerbated by at least two companies that have already launched litigation over delays in issuing further licenses to applicants.