european-court-rejects-german-gambling-restrictions

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European Court declines German gaming restrictions

8 September 2010
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German gaming constraints breach European Union law, the EU's greatest court has ruled.
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The European Court of Justice (ECJ) stated German laws that secure state monopolies for gaming were "unjustifiable".

The judgment might open the way for foreign betting companies to develop a presence in Germany.
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A lobby group representing gambling companies, consisting of PartyGaming and Bwin, called the judgement a "landmark".

German authorities have actually justified betting monopolies by saying that they assist protect consumers from the negative impacts of gambling.

But the ECJ stated this was irregular with Germany's promo and "intensive advertising" of its betting operations.

The court stated: "The German rules on sporting bets make up a restriction on the liberty to supply services and the flexibility of facility.
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"The general public monopoly of the organisation of sporting bets and lotteries in Germany does not pursue the objective of combating the dangers of betting in a constant and methodical manner."
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Several foreign wagering business, consisting of Britain's Happy Bet and Gibraltar's Digibet, brought a case against German local authorities in Hesse and northern Schleswig-Holstein.
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The European Gaming and Betting Association invited the judgment.
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"this promotion code is a landmark ruling which will have a decisive effect on the much-needed reform in Germany," it said in a statement.

"Other member states have actually opened or are opening their markets. They show that can be much better secured in a market that is both regulated and available to competitors," it said.
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However, European Lotteries, a lobby group for national lottery games in 40 countries, disputed whether the yohaig code judgment would open the German market.

"On the contrary," the yohaig code group said in a declaration, "the court reminded Germany that it has to manage more strictly the bet9ja's welcome offer of harmful forms of betting such as casino games and video gaming machines.

"The court pointed once again to the higher threats related to internet gambling."
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EGBA

European Lotteries