Mr Green shuts German sportsbook with immediate effect

William Hill’s Mr Green brand has closed its German sports betting operations with immediate effect, EGR Intel has learned.

In an email sent this morning to affiliate partners, the Malta-headquartered operator said: “Due to recent gambling regulation changes in Germany, Mr Green is closing all German sports betting operations with immediate effect.

“We kindly ask you to remove all sportsbook content from your German marketing channels as soon as possible.”

In a statement provided to EGR, William Hill said: “We continually review the legal situation regarding our presence in different markets and this decision has been taken in the light of the latest advice regarding Germany.”

In March 2019, all 16 German states agreed the amended version of the Interstate Gambling Treaty, which would provide for the licensing of sports betting operators for a period of two years, until a new regulatory framework for gambling can be put in place.

The amended treaty removes a previous 20-licence cap on sports betting licences and extends the so-called experimental phase until 30 June 2021.

The German state of Hesse, which oversees the licensing of sports betting operators under the treaty, said in July that any interested operator would be required to cease online casino operations in order to qualify for a sports betting licence.

Online casino is currently illegal in Germany under the treaty. Bet365 announced it would turn off online casino products to German players last month to qualify for a licence.

The Stoke-headquartered operator confirmed it would only offer sports betting to German players going forward.

Hesse opened the licensing window for sports betting earlier this month and has confirmed the receipt of 11 applications from interested operators.