New infringement proceedings against the inter-state treaty on gaming probably inevitable
By Andreas Schultheis
International recognition of Kiel model
Brussels/London/Munich, October 2012 – The European gambling market remains a regulatory construction site, and Germany is anything but innocent in this in this regard. Whilst large parts of Europe have in the meantime passed modern gambling acts geared towards competitiveness and player protection, the German federal states have shifted into reverse gear with the first amending inter-state treaty on gambling (1. GlüÄndStV, or E 15 model) – at least 15 of the 16 federal states, as, up to now, the state gambling act initiated by the CDU and FDP is still effective in Schleswig-Holstein – an act which industry experts consider to be a milestone, as it, among other issues, also regulates the online poker and online casino market. Nevertheless, the governing coalition in Kiel, consisting of SPD, Die Grünen and Südschleswigscher Wählerverband (SSW), is preparing to repeal the act and to join the inter-state treaty on gambling, which continues to face concerns by the European Commission – in contrast to the applicable state law. During the summer, the independent monopoly commission which advises the federal government, had also criticised the provisions of the treaty, and had praised the Kiel act. … Continue Reading
