Germany To Ring In New Years With Online Gaming Ban

Taking a page from the U.S. and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), Germany will begin its own online gaming ban on Jan. 1st.

According to Bloomberg.com, all 16 German States approved the new anti-gaming laws after voting held mid-December. Any Web-based betting is off limits, with the possibility of individual States blocking bank transfers and ordering Internet service providers to deny access to online gaming sites.

The ban will also reach into advertising, both on television and the Internet. Ads will be able to inform viewers of the site, but not entice or invite the idea of gambling.

Many believe that Germany is implementing the ban to keep money inside their borders, retaining a state monopoly of lotteries and local gambling. The new laws define illegal gaming as online bets placed from a German territory to a company based outside or Germany.

Ratification papers have been received by 13 of the 16 German states, fulfilling the required majority. The remaining three ratification documents are not needed, but still expected before the end of the year.

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