While the European Union is trying to create a uniform policy for the continent’s online gambling activities, it is finding laws such as the recent German ban on internet poker and casino gambling particularly frustrating.

As such, nobody was surprised this week when it was announced that the European Union would not be waiting long to take the necessary steps in this matter.

It has been reported that the EU will be seeking approval from the European Commission this week to begin taking legal action against Germany, beginning with a formal letter of complaint and possibly ending in the European Court of Justice.

Germany began its official ban on online gambling at the beginning of the year, after all sixteen states voted the new law in. Prior to 2008, several states passed their own anti-gambling regional laws, which were also challenged by the European Union. Although these states were given one month to revise their laws, the warnings fell on deaf ears and the states simply went on to back national legislation regarding online poker and casino gambling.  

Other bodies, besides the European Union, have challenged the new German laws. Bwin, the Austrian gambling company with a strong foothold in the country, has been successful in the past by legally challenging the regional bans. The company has vowed to take the new legislation to court and will continue operating in Germany, despite the law.   

Also, eight major European online companies have formed the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) that was set up to unify their stance on online poker and casino gambling in Europe. After the new German law was passed, EGBA filed an official complaint with the European Union. Needless to say, this organization will be satisfied with the news that the EU is taking the necessary steps to make a formal complaint against Germany. 

This is not the first time that the European Union has expressed its disapproval over the internet gambling laws of a member state. Proceedings against at least twelve European countries have been initiated in the past, as many try to maintain monopolies over certain sectors in their gambling industries such as the lottery. While some states have gone along with the EU’s philosophy of open borders and free trade, others, such as Germany, have pulled in the opposite direction by passing new legislation to ban foreign operators from competing in local markets.  

Author:  Renee Kingsley