Four German machine manufacturer and operator associations say they support the country’s third amended State Treaty on Gambling, which will award sports betting licenses by June 2021. But they called for future regulations to go further by legalizing online slots.
The Automatenverband Niedersachen eV (AVN), Verband der Automatenkaufleute Berlin und Ostdeutschland (AV), Fachverband Spielhallen (FSH) and Bundesverband Automatenunternehmer (BA) said they welcome the treaty because it will “break the deadlock” and see online sports betting licenses finally awarded.
However, they agreed, it’s “only the first step towards re-regulating the market. The associations are in favor of applying the regulatory approach adopted for sports betting to commercial slots.” They said such a move would help ensure that players are attracted to legal offerings, and away from unlicensed sites.
“The State Treaty on Gaming points in the right direction,” Heinz Basse, chairman of the AVN, said. “But lawmakers must be careful not to repeat old mistakes. Effective regulation must be based on the quality of the companies in the market, as high quality companies ensure effective player and youth protection.”
BA president, and AV chair, Thomas Breitkopft added that qualitative not quantative regulations are the way to go. “Only a reasonable legal framework can ensure efficiency and consumer protection,” he said.
