The European Court of Justice is tomorrow (September 8) due to reveal its decision on the legality of the German government's monopoly on sports betting.
Germany’s handling of sports betting terminals at federal level has been the subject of protest by operators for several years. At one time the country had thousands of sports betting terminals, mainly in arcades and sports betting shops. The government’s action to ban the terminals in favour of its own operation has been the subject of the lengthy judicial process which culminates in tomorrow’s decision.
Many of the German state governments, which have their own stake in lotteries, are backing the federal government, but not all. Schleswig-Holstein has already stated that it will not sign a new contract with the federal government. Others, including Niedersachsen, Sachsen and Hessen, may follow suit.
The current contract between the federal government and the states runs out on December 31, 2011.
