PokerStars joins push for egaming regulation in Germany

PokerStars has joined the German Association of Telecommunications and Media (DVTM) to support its bid to establish an egaming regulatory and licensing framework in Germany.

Germany’s controversial Inter State Treaty bans all forms of online gaming in its 16 jurisdictions, despite previous attempts by the state of Schleswig-Holstein to break away from the agreement.

Schleswig-Holstein denounced the treaty back in 2012 and established its own regulatory framework and handed out 64 casino game licenses to operators.

But less than a year later a new government was sworn in and the state re-entered the treaty, although it continued to honour the six-year permits it had dished out to operators.

With those license set to expire in 2018, lawmakers and operators are now pushing for a nationwide online gaming regulatory and licensing framework to be established.

PokerStars spokesman Eric Hollreiser said the DTVM was a “strong advocate” for the industry and that the legislative situation in Germany required the industry to “take action”.

“The industry can only be truly effective by means of a joint effort, which is why we really hope that other companies will follow suit by joining the association,” Hollreiser said.

“The shared goal will be a consumer oriented and legally secure regulation of the online gaming market in conformity with EU standards,” he added.

The confusion in Germany’s online gambling laws recently led to the prosecution of a player, who was forced to pay back more than €63k in winnings and pay a €2k fine.

Germany has also tried to establish a regulatory framework for sports betting, and handed out more than 20 licenses to operators last year. However, those who did not receive a licence have launched a legal challenge, which could delay the launch of legal sports betting in Germany by years.