New online casino licenses... from Schleswig Holstein

If you thought the online gambling scene in Schleswig Holstein, a state in Germany that is currently betwixt and between a gambling treaty with other German states and compliance with its own EU approved gambling laws, be prepared to add another element of confusion to the mix.

Despite the plans of its anti-online gambling state government, SH has issued its first 12 online casino licenses to a list of major companies that includes heavyweights with plenty of legal firepower like Ladbrokes, Bwin, Betfair, Pokerstars and bet365.

Other recipients include Bet-at-home, Mybet and 888Poker.

Attempts by the current state government to repeal liberal EC-approved online gambling laws implemented by its predecessor brought the government into recent conflict with the European Commission, which was critical of the restrictive nature of the German Treaty on sports betting which SH had hoped to join after getting rid of its own legislation .

The new licenses have a life of six years, and a further 18 applications remain under consideration, government officials revealed Wednesday.

A less than enthusiastic Interior Minister, Andreas Breitner, explained that whilst the issue was politically troubling for him, the state had an obligation to respect the existing law, which required that licensing be granted.

However, he again stressed that the intention of the current government is to repeal the existing Gambling Act and re-join the German Treaty.

How such a repeal will sit with the new licensees in legal terms, and for that matter the European Commission, remains to be seen.