European Court Rejects German Gambling Restrictions European Court rejects German betting restrictions 8 September 2010 German gaming restrictions breach European Union law, the EU's highest court has ruled. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said German laws that secure state monopolies for gaming were "unjustifiable". The ruling might break the ice for foreign betting companies to develop an existence in Germany. A lobby group representing gambling companies, consisting of PartyGaming and Bwin, called the judgement a "landmark". German authorities have justified wagering monopolies by stating that they assist secure customers from the unfavorable effects of betting. But the ECJ stated this was irregular with Germany's promotion and "extensive advertising" of its gambling operations. The court said: "The German rules on sporting bets make up a limitation on the liberty to offer services and the liberty of facility. "The general public monopoly of the organisation of sporting bets and lottos in Germany does not pursue the goal of combating the dangers of betting in a consistent and organized way." Several foreign wagering companies, including Britain's Happy Bet and Gibraltar's Digibet, brought a case against German local authorities in Hesse and northern Schleswig-Holstein. The European Gaming and Betting Association welcomed the judgment. "This is a landmark judgment which will have a definitive effect on the much-needed reform in Germany," it said in a declaration. "Other member states have actually opened or are opening their markets. They show that consumers can be much better secured in a market that is both regulated and open up to competitors," it said. However, European Lotteries, a lobby group for national lottos in 40 countries, disputed whether the judgment would open up the German market.

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