This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-11234128
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
European Court rejects German gambling restrictions | European Court rejects German gambling restrictions |
(2 days later) | |
German gambling restrictions breach European Union law, the EU's highest court has ruled. | German gambling restrictions breach European Union law, the EU's highest court has ruled. |
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said German laws that protect state monopolies for gambling were "unjustifiable". | The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said German laws that protect state monopolies for gambling were "unjustifiable". |
The ruling could open the way for foreign betting companies to establish a presence in Germany. | The ruling could open the way for foreign betting companies to establish a presence in Germany. |
A lobby group representing gambling firms, including PartyGaming and Bwin, called the judgement a "landmark". | A lobby group representing gambling firms, including PartyGaming and Bwin, called the judgement a "landmark". |
German authorities have justified betting monopolies by saying that they help protect consumers from the negative effects of gambling. | |
But the ECJ said this was inconsistent with Germany's promotion and "intensive advertising" of its gambling operations. | But the ECJ said this was inconsistent with Germany's promotion and "intensive advertising" of its gambling operations. |
The court said: "The German rules on sporting bets constitute a restriction on the freedom to provide services and the freedom of establishment. | The court said: "The German rules on sporting bets constitute a restriction on the freedom to provide services and the freedom of establishment. |
"The public monopoly of the organisation of sporting bets and lotteries in Germany does not pursue the objective of combating the dangers of gambling in a consistent and systematic manner." | "The public monopoly of the organisation of sporting bets and lotteries in Germany does not pursue the objective of combating the dangers of gambling in a consistent and systematic manner." |
Several foreign betting companies, including Britain's Happy Bet and Gibraltar's Digibet, brought a case against German regional authorities in Hesse and northern Schleswig-Holstein. | Several foreign betting companies, including Britain's Happy Bet and Gibraltar's Digibet, brought a case against German regional authorities in Hesse and northern Schleswig-Holstein. |
The European Gaming and Betting Association welcomed the ruling. | The European Gaming and Betting Association welcomed the ruling. |
"This is a landmark ruling which will have a decisive impact on the much-needed reform in Germany," it said in a statement. | |
"Other member states have opened or are opening their markets. They show that consumers can be better protected in a market that is both regulated and open to competition," it said. | |
However, European Lotteries, a lobby group for national lotteries in 40 countries, disputed whether the ruling would open up the German market. | However, European Lotteries, a lobby group for national lotteries in 40 countries, disputed whether the ruling would open up the German market. |
"On the contrary," the group said in a statement, "the court reminded Germany that it has to control more strictly the offer of dangerous forms of gambling such as casino games and gaming machines. | "On the contrary," the group said in a statement, "the court reminded Germany that it has to control more strictly the offer of dangerous forms of gambling such as casino games and gaming machines. |
"The court pointed again to the higher risks associated with internet gambling." | "The court pointed again to the higher risks associated with internet gambling." |
Previous version
1
Next version