The Joint Gambling Authority of the German federal states (GGL) recently achieved a legal success against a payment service provider from Switzerland. The GGL had previously prohibited the foreign payment service provider from participating in all illegal gambling offers in Germany. The special thing about this is that it does not only apply to specifically known online casinos, but to all illegal online casinos.
The German betting tax provides plenty of material for discussion and is always a key issue for both bettors and bookmakers. The bookies are reluctant to pay it and the players can't stand having it imposed on them by the providers, with their winnings dwindling. A recent ruling by the Federal Fiscal Court (BFH) confirms the current legal situation: the tax on sports betting levied by bookmakers without a German licence is compatible with the German constitution and European law.
Many online casinos in Austria do not have the required official licence and are therefore illegal. In the past, more and more Austrian gamblers have therefore tried to reclaim casino losses they have suffered. Now the online casinos are striking back and claiming the winnings previously paid out to players. Should players now fear having to pay back the winnings they have made in the past?
After the sports betting provider Bet3000 disappeared from the German whitelist on 25 July 2024, there was initially a great deal of guesswork and many irritated faces. In the meantime, more and more information is coming to light in this case. It is now clear that the Joint Gaming Authority (GGL) has withdrawn the provider's sports betting licence. But what is the background to this and how is Bet3000 dealing with it?
Just over a fortnight ago, two men in Bavaria were sentenced in the second instance to fines and imprisonment for illegal gambling. The Regional Court of Kempten considered it proven that the two men had engaged in illegal gambling from 2020 onwards and thus unjustly enriched themselves. However, both the public prosecutor's office and the lawyers have lodged an appeal.
The Grand Casino Baden was sanctioned by the Swiss Gaming Commission. The renowned casino defended itself in court against the sanction totalling millions - but without success. But why exactly does Casino Baden now have to pay a fine totalling the equivalent of almost 1.9 million euros?
An absurd story took place a few weeks ago at the district court in Waren an der Müritz. A 26-year-old trainee had to answer for money laundering after winning money in an online casino. But what were the circumstances that prompted the judiciary to open an investigation into money laundering in this case?
Last Thursday, 7 March 2024, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) was originally due to hear the question of whether sports betting companies without a German licence must compensate players for their losses. However, the proceedings were suspended at short notice due to the resumption of negotiations between the betting provider and the plaintiff player.
Recently, there have been an increasing number of cases in which the German police have taken action against players of online casinos without a German licence. The mostly unsuspecting users are usually accused of Section 285 of the German Criminal Code (participation in unlicensed gambling). But what should you do if you receive a letter from the police and are even asked to appear for questioning as a suspect?
The debate surrounding a ban on gambling advertising has been smouldering for a number of years and continues to produce new spikes. One of the biggest advocates is the Federal Government's Drugs Commissioner Burkhard Blienert (SPD). He has been sharply criticised for his recent statements and demands.
The Federal Minister of Justice, Marco Buschmann (FDP), wants to relax criminal law and, among other things, decriminalise participation in illegal gambling. Shortly afterwards, the first critical voices were raised by the federal government's addiction commissioner and several associations. But what would be the consequences of removing illegal gambling from the penal code?
The correct handling of personal data is an extremely sensitive issue for all types of companies operating on the Internet. Online casinos with a German licence in particular collect a lot of data these days. This is mainly done for reasons of player protection. But is this really legal? This exciting topic was recently the subject of a legal article.
And once again, the much-discussed loot boxes are causing a stir: WestLotto recently presented a regulatory proposal for such features. However, the video games industry lobby organisation "game" does not like this at all. It sees no reason for further action.
Over a period of almost ten years, a player lost a total of almost €140,000 at an online casino. He has now taken his casino losses to court - with success. The plaintiff based his claim on the fact that he was unaware that online gambling was illegal in Germany at the time.
An online gambling provider based in Malta has taken action against the so-called payment block by the German gambling authorities. Specifically, the authority has prohibited a payment service provider from accepting payments to the casino without a German licence. The online casino, in turn, took legal action against this ban in summary proceedings - but without success.
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