The EGBA Files Complaints against Germany

On January 1st a ban went into effect in Germany that prohibits online gambling. Because of this the European Gaming and Betting Association has filed a complaint to the European Commission stating that Germany is breaking the European Union law on the free movement of services.

Before the German ban had taken effect the European Union had raised objections in a formal fashion but the ban withstood and was enacted as planned. The EGBA believes the German Interstate Treaty is in direct violation of the European Union law. They have stated that the ban restricts the activities of the European online operators and also directly challenges the European Commission's position under the notification procedure.

"The provisions of the Treaty severely restrict the rights of EGBA's members to provide services under Article 49 of the Treaty of Rome," says the EGBA in a press release. "Prohibition is not and has never been a solution, be it in our sector or other sectors. It is not a responsible approach and cannot be a substitute to an efficient gaming policy," said Norbert Teufelberger, EGBA chairman. Focusing on online gaming does not make sense when most recent peer-reviewed studies show that although online and offline gaming [have] different target audience[s], players' behavior is similar whether online or offline."

The European Gaming and Betting Association secretary general, Sigrid Ligne, has stated that the treaty created by Germany is not compatible with the European Union law and that is why they filed a formal complaint. "We urge the Commission now to fast track our complaint and launch infringement proceedings against Germany," Ligne said.