More Operators Get License in Schleswig-Holstein,Germany

The German state of Schleswig-Holstein has issued an additional four new licenses for sports-betting. Newly licensed Bet365, Tipico, bwin.party and bet-at-home join the previous licensed group of Mybet, Betfair and Oddset. It was less than a year ago that Schleswig-Holstein voted to allow poker and sports betting operators to operate in a regulated market. .

Many more are awaiting news about their applications including 24 operators waiting for betting licenses and 17 more hoping for casino and poker licenses. Even though bwin.party already has its sports betting license it is still awaiting its casino license. The Interior Minister for Schleswig-Holstein, Klaus Schlie, said that casino and poker licenses will be issued in the coming weeks.

The licenses which have already been issued are effective immediately, valid for 6 years and similar to the newly regulated markets in Italy and Spain. Those operating in Schleswig-Holstein will pay taxes equal to 20% of gross gaming revenues to the government. Operators will only be allowed to accept bets from the German citizens living inside of Schleswig-Holstein.

It is very possible that if this regulated market is successful then it will lead the other 15 German states to change their positions and follow suit. As other countries in the European Union also look to regulate their markets, the other 15 German states will start to feel the pressure. It was initially thought that all of the states would regulate their markets at the same but they were unable to reach an agreement.