On 1 July this year, the gambling sector in Germany will undergo a real upheaval. On that date, the new draft law will come into force throughout the country, allowing gambling sites. While this news should delight both German operators and players, the reality is quite different. So look for the best bitcoin casino Germany.
Major changes to come
For many years, the law on gambling in Germany has been rather strict: while online sports betting was allowed, online casinos and online poker were not. As a result, German gamblers regularly turned to unregulated operators to indulge their passion.
The new bill will finally provide a legal framework for this activity.
Operators will simply have to obtain a licence to offer their services on the Internet.
Moreover, the new law does not only legalise poker and casino. It also limits players’ monthly deposits and restricts betting opportunities. Bets on pokies are likely to reach a maximum of €1. At the same time, other restrictions include the abolition of the affiliate system, the impossibility of logging on to two sites simultaneously, and the obligation to create an account for each category of games.
A law that is far from unanimous
For several months, the Deutsche Sportwettenverband (German Sports Betting Association) warned the government about this new law. However, the DSWV believes that some of the conditions of the draft law could have the opposite effect to the one desired by the authorities.
The legislation was initially intended to combat illegal operators, protect players and recover taxes from the industry. However, by limiting the possibilities for players in various aspects (deposits, bets, wagers), the project may encourage their exodus to unauthorised platforms in the country. By abolishing the affiliate system, this law may also decrease traffic for licensed operators. THEREFORE, the DSWV is asking for some changes so as not to threaten the good health of this sector.
