Betfair suspends German affiliate program

German marketing affiliates sending punters to online gambling group Betfair received disappointing news this week when the company advised them that it is ‘temporarily’ suspending its German affiliate program due to “continued regulatory challenges” in the German gambling market.

Industry observers linked the decision to the company’s desire for a German sports betting licence in the wake of the change of government in Schleswig-Holstein and the new incumbents’ intention to about-face and join the other German lander in the new German Treaty.

In corporate-speak, Betfair confirmed that view, explaining that it did not want to endanger its application for one of the limited number of new federal German sports betting licences, and had therefore temporarily decided to “pause our marketing activities for new customer acquisition.”

The good news is that Betfair continues to welcome German punters, and affiliates will continue to be paid commission on existing referred customers.

It is not known how long the suspension of the program will last.