Neteller - Will they take Europe by storm as well?

The Germany news above is from 22nd December. An Internet gambling ban has been in force in some German states since 2004 but it has been challenged in each State. A tighter German ban would mostly affect Bwin.

However, in December the EU told members that they cannot implement online gambling bans to protect state lotteries. This was clearly aimed at Germany who are trying to protect their lucrative state monopolies.

Germany's 16 states are in the process of drafting a law to outlaw Internet gambling altogether and uphold a state monopoly on lottery ticket sales, resisting pressure by the European Union to open the market.


Bwin, who are currently the biggest bookmaker in Germany, received some slightly better news earlier this week as a Bavarian regional court suspended an order which attempted to ban Bwin from accepting bets from Bavarian residents.

"Bwin can continue to offer sporting bets in Bavaria and to accept bets from Bavarian customers," Bwin said in a statement.

The ruling, one of many pending court cases with German states, means that Bavaria cannot enforce a ban before the main court case is heard.