Germany's federal states to permit online gambling nationwide
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E-mail Xinhua, January 23, 2020
BERLIN, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Germany's federal states agreed on Wednesday on a new draft interstate treaty that would allow online gambling on German websites.
Gambling on the internet in Germany (online poker or virtual slot machines) would be permitted in the future, according to the draft law. Currently, Schleswig-Holstein is the only federal state that issues operating licenses for gambling websites.
The intention is "to create a suitable alternative to illegal gambling and to counteract the development and spread of illegal gambling into black markets," said Dirk Schroedter, head of the Schleswig-Holstein state chancellery.
To protect online gamblers, the draft envisages strict rules. For example, there would be a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros (1,109 U.S. dollars) for gambling on the internet, the draft notes.
"With the legalization of online casinos, this highly desirable market becomes not only visible but also controllable and secure," according to the German Online Casino Association (DOCV).
According to the draft, providers would have to set up a unique gaming account for each player. Operators of virtual slot machines would need to establish an automated system for the early detection of players at risk of gambling addiction.
A new supervisory authority would be established in Germany to issue licenses and to control providers. At the same time, the new authority would also be responsible for the protection against the dangers of addiction and for the protection of children and young people, according to the draft law.
Facing a boom in unregulated gambling opportunities on the internet, Germany's federal states have been discussing how to regulate the growing online gambling market for a long time.
There were "many dubious offers radiating from abroad, taking advantage of this current unregulated situation in Germany, and consumers thus have the problem that they cannot orient themselves," said DOCV President Dirk Quermann.
The prime ministers of Germany's federal states are expected to approve the new interstate treaty on gambling at the beginning of March. The treaty is scheduled to come into force in July 2021, when the current one will expire. Enditem
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