GERMAN ONLINE GAMBLING BAN UNCONSTITUTIONAL SAY EXPERTS

11 January 2008

Top lawyers confirm that new banning accord contravenes both the German constitution and European law


With criticism and threats of international litigation mounting, the 16 German states remained under siege today for implementing a New Years Day accord banning online gambling and introducing Internet freedom-sensitive rules.

The boss of UK betting company MyLotto24 - a subsidiary of German giant Tipp24 - Carsten Frein echoed the parent company view, commenting: “We consider the state treaty on gambling as clearly illegal and will take legal action if necessary.
"Reports by notable constitutional lawyers such as Professor Bodo Pieroth or Professor Hermes confirm that the treaty contravenes the German constitution and European law. The EU and the German Monopolies Commission have also taken up a clear stance in this sense.”

Frein said that there would be no impact on the UK side of the business, but that in Germany, the company is restricted in its “marketing communications” until a resolution is reached at court level.

Operators Bwin, Fluxx and Tipp24 have all criticised the developments (see previous InfoPowa report).

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa