The assembly (Landtag) of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia has voted to allow online casinos, under the Fourth Interstate Gambling Treaty (GlüNeuRStv) approved by Germany’s 16 states.
The state has the largest population of Germany. It follows Schleswig-Holstein in opening its market.
The Landtag announced that five licenses will be issued under regulations that were also released on its website. Online gaming operators will be taxed and pay duties on the games, which may only include roulette, blackjack and baccarat. Licenses could be approved later for online poker and slot machines.
The lawmakers say they took this action to discourage gray and black market operators and offshore firms. They hopes this way to protect consumers against “addictive game designs” and advertising aimed at vulnerable populations.
The federal treaty created an overall gaming regulator, “The Joint Gambling Authority for German Federal States” (Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL).) It is expected to launch early next year.
