The Saxony-Anhalt State Administration Agency has declared that Germany has granted nine new virtual slot machine and poker permits, in addition to the three previously given. However, the agency did not reveal which companies will be awarded these permits.
Since the new state agreement made these verticals legal on July 1, 2021, operators have submitted 71 license applications. Of these, eight applications were taken back, three are being evaluated by the Glücksspielkollegium, one was directly turned down, and the rest are still waiting for review.
At present, three online businesses are authorized to run online slot machines in Germany: Tipwin, Mybet, and Mernov. No operators have yet been given licenses to offer poker games.
The agency also disclosed that since the agreement came into effect, 25 online operators have been referred to the public prosecutor’s office for breaking German law.
The department took this action as part of a wider campaign to suppress illegal online gambling operators.
A total of 148 cases of illegal gambling were looked into, and 871 websites were inspected. The department also assessed 90 cases of illegal gambling advertising.
The leader of the Saxony-Anhalt State Office, Thomas Pleye, stated: “The granting of permits for internet poker and virtual slot machines remains a top priority. We have already given out the first licenses.”
The creation of Germany’s new regulatory organization, the Glücksspielbehörde (GGL), is another result of the state gambling agreement. The agency will be in charge of carrying out tasks such as blocking online payments and blocking the IP addresses of illegal websites starting July 1st.
The agency will completely take over the country’s gambling industry on January 1, 2023.
Pleye added: “Every new job brings significant and minor challenges for everyone involved, especially when two organizations are launched at the same time, but with different requirements and duties, but with the same objective.
“We are pleased with the results achieved so far and are now transferring some responsibilities and personnel, as well as the symbolic baton, to the GGL. I wish all those involved continued success.”
The state agreement also includes strict rules for the industry, such as a €1 limit on slot machines and a 5.3% betting tax.
Sign up for the iGaming newsletter.