Spotlight on (online) casinos in Schleswig-Holstein

The regulatory framework of Online Casinos is evolving at high speed since the new State Treaty on Gambling has entered info force mid-2021, solidifying the paradigm shift in online gambling regulation and leaving room for detailed regulation on federal level. Former grey areas in the Online Casino framework are starting to clear up – but still, navigating the regulatory jungle of federal regulations in the field of Online Casinos can be challenging. Taking the chances offered by the new federal laws can be worthwhile to enter the market at pole position.

The winner takes it all

According to Section 22 c (1) of the State Treaty on Gambling, the federal states can run Online Casinos all by themselves following a monopolist model, or issue a limited number of concessions, thus running a concession model. The state of Schleswig-Holstein has decided to issue up to four concessions in a transparent, non-discriminatory administrative procedure on the basis of a tendering process. The licenses will be granted for a maximum of 15 years. A successful outcome in the process will be a strong signal for the other federal states adopting a concession model - we can help you becoming the winner that takes it all.

The next step

But it doesn’t end there. The coalition agreement of Schleswig-Holstein once again confirmed that terrestrial casinos will be privatized – just as the State of North RhineWestphalia did in 2021 with the privatization of WestSpiel. Our sources estimate the start of the process for the third quarter of 2022. This means that a new chance of market entry also exists at terrestrial level.

A complex, high-level transaction lies ahead – the experience of advisors will be a decisive factor. We have the resources, experience and contacts to set you up for success.

Our areas of expertise

  • Online Casino licensing

  • Online Gambling regulation framework

  • Privatisation of Casinos

 

 

Authored by Prof. Dr Thomas Dünchheim, Dr Viktoria Herold, and Dr Adrian Rudert.

 

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