Poll results: Political change will only delay Schleswig-Holstein opening
Nearly half of readers expect a delay but the majority still believe the market will open eventually.
Just under half of eGaming Review readers polled expect the recent political change in Schleswig-Holstein will see the opening of the Land’s egaming market delayed.
Last weekend’s elections saw the ruling Christian Democratic Unionist (CDU) party lose control of the region, raising the prospect of a potential coalition involving the Social Democratic (SPD) and Green parties. Almost half (47%) of respondents to our survey anticipate this leading to a delay in the opening.
The first three licences were issued ahead of the election results – with Betfair, mybet and Die NordwestLotto all granted approval to operate in the jurisdiction, and 33% of those polled believe the market will open irrespective of changes in Schleswig-Holstein’s government.
Just 20% expect that the mooted SPD-Green coalition will seek to repeal the bill, which made breakaway state Schleswig-Holstein the first to introduce its own egaming licensing process.
This is despite the SPD having previously been vocal in its criticism of the legislation and suggesting Schleswig-Holstein could join the remaining 15 Länder whose draft state treaty – signed last December – has been met with criticism from the European Commission.