UK-based sportsbook and casino operator Bet365 has contacted its affiliate partners via email advising them that they will be winding down operations as from Monday, 30th December 2019 and instructing them to refrain from promoting the brand’s online casino in Germany. The operator was also advised that ‘any promotion of Bet365’s non-sports products’ must be removed.
The Bet365 German casino is due to shut down in anticipation of regulatory changes in Germany that is scheduled to come into effect on Wednesday, 1st January 2020.
Bet365 German casino will endeavor to comply with the upcoming regulatory changes and wait for a go-ahead from the state while gambling laws are overhauled.
Germany is currently readying itself for a temporary regulatory administration, requiring operators to apply for license applications in the state of Hesse.
The interim laws for online gambling in Germany will be enforced at the beginning of 2020 and are expected to remain in effect for approximately 18 months before more permanent regulatory structure takes place. This is anticipated to be complete and implemented by the summer of 2021.
Germany has been struggling with sites that have been operating illegally for quite some time.
Earlier this year, PayPal withdrew its online casino payment services in Germany after payment service providers in the country were pressed to stop accepting transactions in a number of online gaming verticals.
The brand will, however, keep its online casino open in Austria and provide casino services in German to those residing in that country.