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The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) hit back at a German state’s decision to ban an unnamed payments provider from processing online casino payments, describing the move as “ineffective and detrimental”.
EGBA believes payment blockings are not a solution to the problems afflicting Germany’s gambling regulation – and a much more fundamental rethink is needed to develop an effective regulatory framework and bring the country’s gambling policies into the 21st century.
The Association spoke out after the state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) issued the country’s first federal blocking order, which potentially can be challenged before the administrative courts. to a payment service provider in a bid to stop transactions between German gamblers and offshore igaming sites. The unnamed company has been ordered to stop working with operators offering online casino, poker and lottery betting in the market.
EGBA has called for a “fundamental rethink” of how regulations will be enforced, arguing that work on developing a new regulatory framework should be stepped up.
“A much more fundamental rethink is needed in Germany to bring its online gambling policy up to speed to meet the digital realities of the 21st century. Right now, the regulatory situation is fragmented and way behind the developments in most other European countries,” said EGBA secretary general, Maarten Haijer.
