Germany imposes gambling monopoly
Sports betting machines in Germany got a reprieve - but only a temporary
one - when the German states postponed a plan to impose a state monopoly on
gambling, banning private lottery agents and sports betting companies. The
postponement is only until next year, when ministers will ratify proposals
to extend the states' monopoly for four years. The new law will take effect
in January 2008. In March of this year the Federal Constitutional Court
decided that the states can only insist on a monopoly if they amend their
marketing techniques for their lotteries to conform with gambling addiction
avoidance. The states have already taken action against some sports betting
companies, notably based in Austria.
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