German lotto association wants to block Deutsche Telekom’s sports betting entry
News on 25 Feb 2015
News on 25 Feb 2015
Germany’s Lottery association, Deutsche Lotto- und Totoblock (DLTB) has criticised Deutsche Telekom’s proposed online sports betting launch (see previous report) saying the media giant is flouting German regulations and will be operating illegally.
Deutsche Telekom intends operating its proposed Tipp3.de offer in the German market under its Austrian license saying it is perfectly within its rights to do so.
DLTB has called on Germany’s Federal Government to intervene saying legislation is clear that all companies operating online sports betting must have been awarded a German sports betting licence.
“Deutsche Telekom wants to contravene Germany’s legal regulations. Thus, the partly state-owned company is on a par with providers who operate partially illegally from tax havens on the German market,” the DLTB’s Michael Burkert and Peter Jacoby said in a statement.
“Current legislation dictates that companies offering internet sports betting in Germany must have a German license, that’s always been the stance of the Federal government and the States.
“The argument that an Austrian license exists and should therefore be offered in Germany is absurd and can not be accepted,” DLTB added.
In the same statement, DLTB said it is also focusing on the “massive expansion” of Bundesliga sponsorship activities by private gambling providers, and has approached numerous Ministers to highlight the matter.
“The renowned Bundesliga provides a platform for clearly illegal offers from its advertising partners such as live betting and online casino games that are prohibited by the State Treaty on gaming,” the association concluded.
