Fifteen German states have signed the most recent draft of the German Interstate Gambling Treaty.

Schleswig-Holstein refused to sign and the announcement that 15 German Länder have signed has already been met with much disappointment by the industry. According to the Remote Gambling Association, the prohibition of poker and casino games and the unworkable level of taxation for sport betting will "severely restrict the ability for the treaty to meet the social and economic objectives of German politicians."

"The decision to sign the treaty is disappointing," commented RGA chief executive. "In essence, it fails to acknowledge the development of modern regulatory remote gambling regimes and it will not stop the large number of German citizens continuing to seek better choice and value from operators licensed in other jurisdictions."

He added: "All eyes will now be on the European Commission to see if it objects to any of the treaty's provisions and, if nothing else, it is encouraging that the 15 Länder who support the treaty will not seek to enact it until they know the Commission's views."

The RGA expressed disappointment in October at the continuing absence of a properly regulated and competitive German gambling market for private remote gambling operators and consumers.