Schleswig-Holstein Continues to Issue Licenses Despite Plans to Change Laws

Within the last several years, many European Union (EU) countries have been assessing their gambling laws and passing new legislation which allows foreign operators that meet the country’s guidelines to legally offer their internet-based gambling services. These countries have been applauded by the EU and the European Commission (EC) and the legislation has gone a long way to protect players. However, Germany seems to be one of the countries that just can’t get it together in any type of consistent manner.

Many of us had high hopes that Germany’s monopoly would be broken up and internet gambling laws would change for the better when the northernmost state, Schleswig-Holstein, began doing this in 2011. However, it seems that even this forward thinking German state cannot seem to stick to one plan for more than a few weeks at a time. One day Schleswig-Holstein is being revolutionary and the next day an election happens and the tables are turned.

However, the current government, which plans to repeal the recent changes to the law, has just issued 5 new sports betting licenses to 888, Cashpoint Malta Ltd., Ladbrokes and to two of Admiral Sportwetten brands. Legally, the government must continue to review internet gambling applications and issue licenses in a timely manner to operators that meet the requirements. But here is the crazy part: every license is issued for a period of 6 years, and even if the laws are changed, the operators can continue to legally serve German players without risk.

That said, many operators are not happy with the situation and gambling giant bwin.party has even filled a lawsuit against Schleswig-Holstein for purposefully issuing licenses in too slow of a time period. There are still another 22 operators still impatiently waiting for their licenses.