William Hill to make voice heard in Germany debate

William Hill has become the latest operator to join the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) as the operator looks to play a leading role in the debate surrounding the country’s much maligned licensing process.

A spokesperson for William Hill told eGaming Review the firm was hopeful Germany’s regulatory situation would become clearer in the coming months and that if it does the country would become “a market of interest”.

And in a statement explaining Hills’ DSWV membership, the operator’s director of group legal services Michael Leadbeater said the firm was keen to introduce its expertise into the debate on how Germany’s sports betting market should be regulated.

Leadbeater was clear that successful regulation in Germany must be based on the principles of an open market, a broad product range and commercially-viable control systems.

William Hill is already active in Germany although does not offer sports betting while the firm was not named as one of the 20 provisional sports betting licensees.

DSWV president Mathias Dahms welcomed William Hill, alongside another new member in Betclic Everest’s bet-at-home brand, saying their membership strengthened the organisation and that a fresh start on the regulatory efforts was now needed.

Other members of the DSWV include the likes of Betfair, bet365, Ladbrokes, Tipico and mybet.

Last week an opinion from the advocate general of the European Court of Justice delivered a devastating judgement on the country’s licensing framework, mounting pressure on German politicians to instigate change.