Germany has seen 16 of its regional council or Landers adopt a “transitional tolerance period” for online gaming to prepare for a new iGaming law to go into effect next year.
German Landers are currently ratifying amendments of the federal New Interstate Treaty on Online Gambling scheduled to go into effect in July. In the meantime, the transitional period will begin October 15.
The transitional period is designed to allow German state-licensed operators to continue offering casino, poker and sports betting markets in accordance with the approved regulatory conditions brought forward by the Interstate Treaty, according to SBC News.
The transition includes requirements that German operators turn off individual table games until the country’s councils decide on whether table games will be permitted under the new law.
All operators must also cap customer deposits at €1,000 per month—an approved Lander condition that the German Bundesrat, or federal council, has asked to be reviewed ahead of 2021 proceedings.
Other rules cover verifying customer IDs, instructing ‘cooling-off periods’ and restricting promotion of poker and slot games, SBC said.
Starting in December, a €1 maximum stake limit on online slots will also go into effect.
Some operators, such as GVC Holdings, welcomed the move.
“This development is to be welcomed, as is the greater certainty and detail it provides on operating under the new licensing regime,” said GVC Group CEO Shay Segev, in a press release. “The establishment of a level playing field for responsible, licensed operators is ultimately good for German consumers, the Group and the industry as a whole.
“It also re-enforces our position as the most globally regulated and responsible operator in our industry,” he said. “We look forward to building on our market-leading offer in Germany and providing our customers with the very best gaming experiences under the new regulatory framework.”
The move has drawn some opposition, however, as critics say it does not allow enough time for some operators to adjust to the new rules.
