SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
With the German state currently investigating regulatory procedures around sports betting, and with a potential overhaul on the cards, the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) President Mathias Dahms has welcomed the discussions.
Back in October 2015 the state of Hesse presented five guidelines focused on reform and gambling regulation. Government officials will meet this week to discuss what must be done, in terms of whether major reform is needed or less drastic changes will suit.
In addition to the reform proposal from Hesse, there are others aimed at adapting the gambling law currently in place from Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. However, these provide only minimal changes to the regulations currently in place.
It seems that only Hesse’s proposal can bring clear, legal certainty for the state of sports betting in Germany.
Dahms said: “The proposals from Hesse offer a good basis for discussion. The other offers do not appear to offer enough to make a real change; it doesn’t help to put a plaster on a broken leg.”
Due to the persistent European law violations in connection with Germany’s gambling regulation, the EU Commission had already initiated a pilot act against the country last year. With that in mind, there is a higher probability of infringement procedures against the Federal Republic.
Dahms added: “The only reform proposal that addresses the serious concerns of the European Commission is that proposed by Hesse. By taking on and committing to this reform the government can finally concern itself with ensuring an accepted form of regulation.”
The DSWV was founded in 2014 and operates out of the Federal Press Association in Berlin, it’s a public contact especially in the fields of politics, media and sports.
