Online gambling awareness campaign for Germany

[jetset]

BWIN - EBA TO RUN GERMAN ONLINE GAMBLING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN


Timed to precede legislative discussions between German provincial leaders


The German public and the politicians who serve it are the targets of a public awareness campaign on Internet gambling planned by the Austrian-listed Bwin betting group, according to German media reports this week.

The move is clearly timed to precede legislative discussions that are critical for the German industry. The discussions involve the prime ministers of the 16 German Länder who are scheduled to meet on 13 December 2006 to debate the content of the new Lotterie-Staatsvertrag (which will now apparently also include sports betting and casinos). However, they will not sign this draft "into force", as initially reported. The parliaments of the Länder have still to pass the relevant legislation next year.

The present draft of the Lotterie-Staatsvertrag could face serious obstacles. There is already an infringement procedure, initiated by the European Commission. The Länder will also have to draw cartel law and Articles 81 et sq. EC Treaty into consideration, following a ruling by the Court of Appeal of Düsseldorf (Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf) which recently upheld an interdiction decision of the German Cartel Office.

Bwin's campaign will use a range of media and will be prominent at football grounds, where advertising hoardings bearing the slogans “kein Monopol” (no monopoly) and “freies wetten” (freedom to bet) have been appearing.

Manfred Bodner, co-chief executive of Bwin, said: “This is a common initiative instigated by all the parties that are being damaged by political manoeuvres.” He added that similar campaigns will be launched across Europe via the European Betting Association, the European industry’s trade body.