Tuesday, January 1, 2008

German Online Gambling Ban on the Horizon?

My condolences to all of you German residents out there. It looks like your country has banned online poker much as the United States did with the UIEGA.

The new law prohibits all Web-based gambling, wagering and betting over the Internet, specifically including the placement of bets with companies located in other countries. Some are suggesting that this will even force German ISP companies to actively block the "illegal" gambling sites, but there is no question that it empowers them to do so if they choose.

With Bloomberg reporting that 13 of 16 states already ratifying the law, only legal action can save you now. Luckily, bWin and a few other online gambling operators are already stepping up and pledging to fight this gambling prohibition in your courts. The rest of the European Union isn't happy about this, and sanctions may follow. The Brussels-based European Commission, a regulator for the European Union, still has the opportunity to challenge Germany’s new regulations.

Bloomberg Reports on German Online Gambling Ban