Schleswig-Holstein releases licence application process details for online table games

The German state of Schleswig-Holstein has outlined how operators will be able to get an online table game licence when entries open on 23 May 2022.

Applications will be open until 15 August and must be completed via email at a cost of €2,500 (£2,105.86).

Once the application is submitted, the state will then assess the “reliability, expertise and ability” of each of the applicants to see whether or not they align with the goals of Germany’s Fourth State Treaty on Gambling, which was passed in July last year. If the application is successful, the licence will last for 15 years.

Schleswig-Holstein was the only state in Germany to allow online casino play before the treaty last year. Under its old model, it allowed for unlimited licenses, with operators taxed at a rate of 20% of gross gambling revenue (GGR).

Following the passing of the treaty, states were then given a choice as to how they wanted to regulate online table games. They could either select a monopoly provider or issue multiple licences to land-based casinos.

Schleswig-Holstein opted for the latter option. The state’s government has already issued a licence to state-run Spielbank Schleswig-Holstein, which leaves four licenses to be dished out.

The taxes that come with these licenses are a dearer than the other licenses in the state. Revenue up to €300,000 (£253,125) per month will be taxed at 34%, anything between €300,000 and €750,000 will be taxed at 39%, and anything higher than this will be taxed at 44%.