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Germany ratified the Third State Treaty on Gambling

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The Minister-Presidents of Germany’s 16 federal states have ratified the third amended State Treaty on Gambling, paving the way for operators to apply for sports betting licences in the market, while Schleswig-Holstein will be allowed to run its own, liberal regulatory regime.

At the Minister-Presidents’ Conference yesterday (March 21), the lawmakers agreed to sign the Treaty, with licences to come into force from January 1, 2020 and run until June 30, 2021. This will effectively act as a placeholder, with a view to a complete overhaul of Germany’s gambling regulations by 2021.

The Treaty will also be submitted to the European Commission to be ratified, which is expected to take place in April this year, with a view to beginning the licensing process later in 2019.

The third amended State Treaty has undergone few changes from the 2012 edition, though the controversial 20-licence limit has been removed. While there is no limit on the number of operators that can be licensed, licensees will be taxed on 5% of turnover, in-play betting is prohibited, and players will not be allowed to spend more than €1,000 (£868/$1,137) each month. As before, sports betting is the only vertical permitted.

Schleswig-Holstein will be permitted to continue with its own liberal regulatory model until 2021. First introduced in 2011, the state has does not impose any restrictions on product verticals, and sets a 20% gross revenue tax. Steps towards renewing licences issued in 2012 began last week, with a view to having these run until June 30, 2021. The state will effectively act as a testing ground for a more liberal model, which from 2021 could be rolled out across the rest of the country.

Dr Wulf Hambach of leading German law firm Hambach & Hambach suggested that due to the short-term nature of the amended Treaty, it would be difficult to enforce the prohibitoin on live betting.

“There is also also big question over whether the online casino ban will be obeyed from January 1, 2020 onwards,” Hambach added. “If, for instance, other federal states are in favour of online casino regulation, they are unlikely to enforce the ban.”

Hambach said that with varied stances on gambling regulation across a number of states, the 2021 overhaul could give states the choice to opt in or out of a more liberal framework.

“I think it’s is likely that after 2021 you will see a fully regulated market, so this one step in the right direction, and there are already a lot of discussions between states, but I think these talks are very fruitful. If you look back two or three years, there haves never really been serious discussions about major reforms [to gambling regulation],” he continued. “This is the first time that it feels like a major step forward has been taken.”

Hans-Jörn Arp, parliamentary leader of the Christian Democratic Union in Schleswig-Holstein and one of the State Treaty’s most vocal opponents, described today’s agreement as a “breakthrough”.

“Today’s decision of the Minister President Conference to present the foundations for follow-up regulations to the State Treaty on Gambling, means we have finally achieved a breakthrough after ten years, and gained recognition from the other federal states,” Arp said.

“For Schleswig-Holstein, this is a great success, after the state had long met with resistance to its  forward-looking solution in the field of gambling,” he said. “Now the other federal states are pulling in the same direction, after they were finally convinced that the Schleswig-Holstein model is expedient.”

Arp said this had been aided by a cross-party consensus in the Schleswig-Holstein state parliament.

He said the decision was not only good news for those who play online, who would be better protected when gambling, but also for professional sports clubs, which could be supported by additional investment generated through gambling taxes.

However German operator association the Deutscher Sportwettenverband took a less positive approach, with president Mathias Dahms describing the Treaty’s ratification as an insufficient first step towards regulating the country’s sports betting market.

“The third amendment to the State Treaty on Gaming is only a temporary measure for the short transitional period until 2021,” Dahms said. “It does not solve the structural deficits of the State Treaty, but gives the countries time to continue negotiating the urgently needed modernisation of German gambling law.”

Dahms said that even as a short-term measure the restrictions imposed under the State Treaty would prompt bettors to flock to illegal sites.

“In Germany there is a strong sports betting market,” he explained. “Customers have clear expectations of their sports betting product.

“If states completely ignore social realities and customer demand, they run the risk of failing again with their regulation. Unattractive conditions threaten to marginalise the licensed offerings in Germany compared to the black market.”

Dahms said that a thorough and transparent process to develop new regulations was vital, one that involved industry stakeholders, sports clubs, as well as medical professionals, noting that the last public hearing had taken place in May 2010.

“Since then, the Treaty has only been developed behind closed doors,” he said. “We and many other associations are therefore offering states the opportunity to contribute our decades of expertise in a cooperative and constructive manner in order to develop successful German gambling regulations.”

The German association of slot machine manufacturers Deutsche Automatenwirtschaft also urged states to use the time before the expiry of the Treaty in 2021 to develop new regulations.

“The consensus that has been reached is a first step. However, the main goal, namely the much-needed, coherent regulation of all forms of gambling, is still pending,” Deutsche Automatenwirtschaft chief executive Georg Stecker said.

Stecker said that only an attractive legal offering would succeed in drawing players away from a “rampant” black market.

“Only when all forms of gambling, including commercial slot machines, are regulated according to quality standards, can the black market be contained, consumers sustainably protected and legal businesses strengthened.”

Jens Bader, co-founder of iGaming payments company, MuchBetter added:

“We will look back on today as an opportunity missed. This was a big chance to decide the future of online gambling across the German-speaking market, but we’re left with more uncertainty and only a placeholder agreement. It’s good that there are no more artificial restrictions on the number of licences awarded to operators, but today’s vote was far from decisive on other issues including the legality of online gambling, casino and poker. It is very naïve to think that these issues will go away, or that a country can pick and choose which parts of gambling it likes. This is not how the rest of the world works and by only allowing betting, Germany could make it very difficult for operators to comply.

“Casinos won’t go away. They will continue to operate under the licences they have, with prohibition enforcement in the transitional period unlikely.”


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Germany ratified the Third State Treaty on Gambling

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Red Bull announces brand-new Trackmania tournament ‘Red Bull Faster’, set to descend on Red Bull Racing’s Milton Keynes HQ

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Start your engines as Red Bull teams up with top Trackmania creator Øyvind “Wirtual” to bring the ultimate high-speed tournament to Red Bull Racing’s Milton Keynes HQ.

An adrenaline-fueled showdown, Red Bull Faster is set to take place on 1 March at MK-7, with online qualifiers open from 24 January, 7pm CET (6pm GMT / 10am PST) until 7 February. Players globally can head to the in-game club ‘Red Bull Faster’ to access the tournament’s custom maps.

Hopeful competitors can put the pedal to the metal, racing across 3 challenging maps in Time Attack mode to clinch the best cumulative time on the global leaderboard. The Top 100 fastest players will advance to the stage 2 online qualifiers, with the Top 8 securing a coveted spot on the starting line at the offline Grand Finals in Milton Keynes.

Hosted by an iconic Trackmania creator, “Wirtual” will be livestreaming all the daring jumps, hairpin turns, and dizzying loops of the high-octane competition across his YouTube and Twitch channels. With the clock ticking, it’s time for seasoned pros and rising racers to grind the ladder, burn rubber on the virtual speedway, and drift, dive, and drive to pole position before qualifiers close on 7 February.

As Red Bull Faster gears up to be the ultimate test of speed and skill, racing fans can also join the action with limited in-person spectator tickets now available. Tickets include food for attendees and photo opportunities with Red Bull’s F1™ race cars.

The post Red Bull announces brand-new Trackmania tournament ‘Red Bull Faster’, set to descend on Red Bull Racing’s Milton Keynes HQ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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UNdisputedly GR8 ICE 2025 with GR8 Tech, RTF by Oleksandr Usyk, and the Leaders of iGaming

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ICE 2025 marked GR8 Tech’s second birthday and a strong start to the year for the company. The provider showcased innovative iGaming solutions and reinforced its position as a high-performing industry leader, unveiling its partnership with Ready to Fight co-founded by boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk.

“GR8 Tech is dedicated to excellence in iGaming technology. Our solutions are designed not only to be fast, reliable, and innovative but to empower operators with a competitive edge in their markets. ICE 2025 was a celebration of our journey so far and a showcase of the market-leading solutions that define us. We are thrilled to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in iGaming and delivering the tools our partners need to lead their markets as undisputed champions,” said Sergey Ghazaryan, CRO at GR8 Tech. GR8 Tech at ICE Barcelona 2025: The UNbelievably GR8 Recap!

A Game-Changing Partnership Usyk’s RTF Platform

The partnership with Ready to Fight was officially officially unveiled during the third day of ICE 2025 with a presentation by GR8 Tech’s CRO, Sergey Ghazaryan, and Bohdan Salii, CVO at Ready to Fight. The presentation attracted a mix of conference attendees, including industry leaders from organizations like Clarion Gaming and SiGMA Group, who gathered to witness the launch of this exciting collaboration.

Following the presentation, the stand came alive with an engaging arm-wrestling challenge. Prominent industry leaders, founders, and top managers from SiGMA Group, NEXT.io, Gaming Operations Academy, ICS-digital, and others participated, bringing energy and excitement to the event. The ultimate prize—a pair of boxing gloves signed by Usyk—went to the winner of the challenge, Zakaria El Maaroufi, Head of M&A Brokerage at SiGMA Group. To keep the fun going, a lottery draw later in the day gave attendees another chance to win their own signed gloves, making it a truly memorable experience.

Throughout the partnership announcement and celebration, GR8 Tech showcased signed boxing gloves worn by Oleksandr Usyk during his historic victory over Tyson Fury in the spring of 2024. These gloves, complete with a certificate of authenticity, were prominently displayed in the ring area of the stand, symbolizing the unstoppable performance that both Usyk and GR8 Tech bring to the table.

New Deals with a Tailored High-Performance Solution Portfolio

As the first major event of the year, ICE sets the tone for business opportunities and innovation across the industry. GR8 Tech used this opportunity to introduce a refreshed product portfolio solution, known for delivering an adaptable, scalable, and cost-effective platform that guarantees above-market profit margins. Visitors were also introduced to the updated Sportsbook Turbo iFrame, which provides an award-winning sportsbook that can be integrated within a week. The showcase of the Infinite Casino Aggregation impressed attendees with its vast selection of over 15,000 games and over 175 game providers, appealing to those looking to diversify and expand their portfolios with ease.

“ICE 2025 highlighted GR8 Tech’s sharp business focus and the well-organized nature of the event. It was the perfect mix that helped us connect with the right people and have valuable conversations. We had hundreds of productive meetings, setting the stage for some exciting deals and partnerships. This event has once again been a great step forward in growing our presence and solidifying our position as leaders in the industry,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CBDO at GR8 Tech.

Looking ahead

After celebrating its milestone birthday at ICE, GR8 Tech is energized for the year ahead. With an UNprecedented roadmap for 2025, the company’s next major trade show is iGB Live in July—with new surprises from the RTF partnership in store. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from GR8 Tech as the journey continues.

The post UNdisputedly GR8 ICE 2025 with GR8 Tech, RTF by Oleksandr Usyk, and the Leaders of iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Betway signs UFC Champion Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis as Global Ambassador

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Leading global online betting and gaming brand, Betway, has signed the Ultimate Fighting Championship Middleweight Champion, Dricus du Plessis, as a global brand ambassador.

Du Plessis, the reigning and undisputed Middleweight Champion is currently undefeated in the world’s biggest mixed martial arts organization, boasting a commanding 10-fight win streak with a stellar 22-2-0 career record.

The African MMA superstar joins the Betway Squad as he prepares to defend his title at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia on Saturday 8 February.

Betway Africa’s Head of Marketing, Mark Rowles, who was delighted to add du Plessis to the impressive Betway Squad commented, “At Betway, we pride ourselves on aligning our global recognised brand with exceptional sporting properties such as the Betway SA20, Betway Premiership, and the Springboks, as well as working with inspirational sports stars and we are immensely proud to have Dricus join us. He is a great ambassador for South Africa and African MMA, he has established himself as one of the top MMA athletes in the world, his International Fighter of the Year award is testament to the incredible year he has had in the UFC, and we wish him well for his title defence at UFC 312. We are all behind the champ.”

du Plessis made history at UFC 297 in Toronto when he became South Africa’s first UFC world champion after beating American Sean Strickland by split decision. He has since continued his meteoric rise by defending his belt against former two-time champion Israel Adesanya, winning by submission at UFC 305 in Perth in August of last year.

“Betway having chosen to invest in me and my sport is a tremendous honour, by and in itself.  Knowing that this collaboration creates opportunity for aspiring MMA-athletes and South African sports talents, provides me with a tremendous sense of pride and motivation to maintain our country’s championship status, you can bet on that!

The 31-year-old continues to inspire a nation through his performances in the UFC octagon and hopes to see more people take up the sport after firmly putting African MMA in the spotlight in 2024.

The post Betway signs UFC Champion Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis as Global Ambassador appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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