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German State Files Legal Complaints against Three Casino Operators

A new wave of chaos has been set off in Germany’s gambling space, currently in the middle of a restructuring process. This is after news emerged that the Hamburg Ministry of the Interior and Sport filed complaints against three web gambling operators, looking for their prosecution.

The Ministry took the case with the Hamburg Public Prosecutor. The legal challenge was centered around the internet casino operations of the three gaming operators named in the complaint.

unlawful gambling

Unlawful Gambling Sites

The Ministry has to confirm the three companies, however, the local media reported that GVC Holdings’ Bwin brand, Malta-licensed Bet3000, and Germany’s Tipico are being targeted by Hamburg legislators for unlawfully offering web casino products to local gamblers.

The leaders of Germany’s 16 states agreed on a permanent web gambling framework set to take effect on the 1st July 2021 and to allow licensed casino and poker activities.

In the previous year, the Council had ordered Germany-facing online casino/poker operatives to quit the market in preparation for the application of the Third State Treaty on Gambling.

Operators Protest Unlawful Gambling Claims

Each of the three operatives named in the Hamburg Interior Ministry’s complaint has dismissed the notion that they have been conducting prohibited online casino activities in Germany.

Tipico did not settle that it had a legal complaint brought against it however pointed out that it believes the casino prohibition outlined in the Third State Treaty on Gambling dishonored EU law. Each of the three web gambling operators has been conducting iGaming activities in the German market for years.

The case was brought by the gambling firm as it sought to challenge a ban order that was issued by the Council. The Council sanctioned the company for providing web casino-style gaming across Germany. The Council will take “no enforcement measures” against the gaming operative during the period of suspension.

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