Poll: The consequences of political change in Schleswig-Holstein
Could a ruling coalition of Social Democrats and Greens move to block the state's egaming market opening?
With Angela Merkel’s ruling Christian Democratic Unionist (CDU) party facing losing control of Schleswig-Holstein following state elections on Sunday, there have been suggestions that the Land’s five-day old egaming market could face legal challenges, and even possible abolition if a potential coalition by the Social Democratic (SPD) and Green parties is successfully formed in the coming weeks.
Last Thursday the country’s northernmost state issued its first three online gambling licences to JAXX SE “ which will change its name to mybet Holdings following the sale of its lottery division “ Betfair and Die NordwestLotto Schleswig-Holstein. The three operators will launch dot.de versions of their core brands to offer sports betting in the market, with licences for poker and casino expected to follow shortly.
Another 23 applications are on track to be approved in the coming weeks, but should the coalition between the SPD and Greens be formed, the former opposition parties will hold a narrow majority in the state parliament, giving them a platform to once again push for the repeal of the Schleswig-Holstein Gambling Act, signed in October last year.
The SPD attempted to block the bill’s passage through parliament last month, and has strongly criticised proposals, suggesting they could move to bring the breakaway state into line with the other 15 Länder who signed an online gambling treaty in December last year. The treaty was slammed by the European Commission in March, leading to Jörg Bode, Minister of Economy and deputy Prime Minister for the state of Lower Saxony, saying the bill had “failed in its present form.”
However there may be some light at the end of the tunnel with the SPD candidate for Prime Minsiter’s position of Schleswig-Holstein and mayor of the Land’s capital Kiel, Torsten Albig, having previously spoken out in support of egaming legislation.
After the opening of the Spanish market was delayed following the election of a government which had previously spoken out against legislation, will we see a similar situation in Schleswig-Holstein, or will the SPD-Green coalition move to repeal the bill entirely? Have your say by voting on the poll on the right hand side of the page, or visit the eGaming Review Linkedin group.