Betsson Prepares to Enter the German Market

Swedish gambling operator Betsson is looking to expand into Germany after successfully applying for clearance from the Darmstadt Regional Council. This licence gives Betsson permission to offer online sports betting in the Darmstadt region and across Germany. Seven different online gambling brands owned and operated by Betsson will now be able to offer online sports betting in Germany. Betsson, Betsafe, Casinowinner, Guts, Nordicbet, Rizk Sport, and Schnellwetten will all now be available to German players, offering a wide range of sports betting options.

In a statement regarding the move, Betsson AB CEO Pontus Lindwall said the following: “We are pleased to finally receive this license, and we are preparing to re-launch our German Sportsbook shortly under the German regulation. Operating sports betting in Germany is part of our strategy of strengthening our position in existing markets by prioritising segments where Betsson has the best conditions to offer leading products. We look forward to offering German customers great entertainment.”

This licence allows Betsson to offer sports betting, although, with the New Interstate Treaty, it’s expected that Betsson will also be able to offer other forms of gambling too. This new treaty is expected to come into effect in July 2021 and will have major repercussions for the legal online gambling market in Germany.

What Does the Interstate Treaty Mean for German Gambling?

The German Interstate Treaty is an agreement between German federal states that controls the licensing and regulation of online gambling in the country. It was first drawn up in 2012 but has since been amended several times to change how the gambling laws work in Germany. The federal states of Germany must follow the Interstate Treaty in matters concerning real money wagering online.

In March 2020, the German federal states agreed on a revision of the current Interstate Treaty on Gambling. The new legislation is designed to unify German gambling laws, making it simpler for German gamblers to work out which sites are safe and regulated. Although the new treaty was agreed upon by all states, it may take time to implement the new rules, as the state of Saschen-Anhalt needs to establish its own gambling regulatory organisation to oversee the new laws.

The new treaty is expected to come into effect from July 2021 and will allow betting operators to offer slots, poker and other gambling games to German players. Once the new treaty is applied, it’s expected that Betsson and other gambling operators will launch their online casinos in the German market.

What Does This Mean for Betsson?

Betsson has had a strong focus on growth into new markets over the last few years. The Swedish gambling operator has secured a foothold in Latin American markets and is also looking to launch its first US sportsbook later in the year. The developments in Germany are, of course, great news for Betsson and other legal gambling operators. These new regulations allow Betsson to operate in German legally, bringing sports betting and casino gaming to new players.