German betting association calls for a more practical approach to sports betting regulation

German Betting Association chief Mathias Dahms has called for open dialogue involving his body and other interested parties as the German states continue to grapple with gambling reform and sports betting licence issues (see previous reports).

Dahms is against the 20-licence cap on sports betting that has created such a furore, saying that restricting the number of properly regulated licensees only makes it easier and creates space for unlicensed and less safe operators to compete in the market.

He is also against a monopolistic structure for the vertical, saying such companies rarely create sufficiently attractive or competitive games, and that the monopoly system is hopelessly outdated and inappropriate.

Dahms says that the country’s gambling regulations are in many cases archaic and not fit for purpose in the modern market, and that lawmakers need to take a more consultative and collaborative approach with operators, who are in daily touch with industry needs and developments.

He added that his organisation was ready and willing to play a role in such a process, concluding:

“The experience of our members in other European countries shows that successful regulation exists only where providers and authorities cooperate and work together for the environment. We are available at any time for this type of co-operation.”