SBC News ECJ to investigate Hesse Ministry sports betting licensing procedures

ECJ to investigate Hesse Ministry sports betting licensing procedures

germanyGermany’s slow progress on the integration of its online sports betting framework, is set to face the scrutiny of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), following criticism aimed at the Hesse Ministry of Interior and Sports (HMDIS) processes from numerous stakeholders.

The ECJ is set to launch an investigation into the legislation process, which is thought to have collapsed following unfavourable rulings from the Administrative Courts of Frankfurt and Wiesbaden.

The investigation will likely question the implemented licensing procedure of the Hesse Ministry, which had opened the German sports betting market to a limited 20 pre licensed operators.

Since the announcement of the licensing framework, HMDIS has faced criticism from numerous sporting organisations, international operators and government bodies who have question the Ministry’s transparency with regards to its operator licensing approvals.

It is reported that 80 operators had applied to gain one of the 20 HMDIS licences. The restrictive procedure has drawn much criticism and embarrassment for HMDIS regulators.

In April 2015 German sports body SAB announced that it would no longer participate in discussions regarding the nation’s online sports betting framework, as the body felt that its advice was not being heard

The investigation of the ECJ will likely cause further delays for the implementation of a German online sports betting framework. The Luxembourg based ECJ court will likely pass its rulings and findings on the legislative processes by September

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