German licence decision set for September
Hessian Ministry of the Interior intends to present proposals for future licensees in the coming weeks
The much-delayed German sports betting licensing process may be drawing to a close with regulatory authorities in the country preparing to inform applicants of their fate as early as September.
eGaming Review understands the Hessian Ministry of the Interior is to present proposals for future licensees to the German Gambling Council “ made up of the heads of gambling regulation of each German state “ either later this month or in early August.
A decision on licensees is expected soon after the proposals are heard with applicants expected to be informed of a decision in September.
However actual licences are unlikely to be issued straight away with rejected applicants likely to appeal the result, a process which would prevent the country from sanctioning any online gambling activity.
The German licensing procedure has been much maligned and has suffered several delays owing to legal proceedings launched by domestic operators claiming the process to have lacked transparency, with the regulatory body still to have published any licensing criteria.
Last week saw the two-year grace period for the country’s Interstate Treaty on gambling expire and the European Commission was expected to receive a report from the country on its progress, however there has yet to be any information regarding the report or its contents.
The lack of information or clarification from the country has triggered calls for the EC to launch infringement proceedings against Germany, however Matthias Spitz, attorney at German legal firm Melchers, considered this to be unlikely.
“In the past, the European Commission has been rather reluctant to take action against Germany because of non-compliant gambling regulation, and it has presented itself as a toothless tiger when it comes to guarding the market freedoms of gambling operators,” he said.