Saxony-Anhalt: Consultations on the State Treaty on Gaming

Saxony-Anhalt: Consultations on the State Treaty on Gaming

In Magdeburg today the cabinet of the black-red-green state government is advising on the State Treaty on Gambling. Before the extensive package of laws regulating land-based and online gambling can be implemented nationwide, the individual state parliaments must agree.

The state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt also has to approve the law. (Image: State Parliament / Viktoria Kühne)

According to a report by the German press agency, the cabinet members of the government under Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff (CDU) are meeting today in the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt to discuss open questions about the proposal.

Another item on the agenda will be the new gaming authority that is to be set up in the state. Interior Minister Michael Richter (CDU) wants to present details of the course of the discussion during the day.

The decision in favor of the state of Saxony-Anhalt as the location of the gaming authority was made last spring. In March 2020, the Prime Minister's Conference decided to assign the seat to the central German state. The exact location of the authority yet to be formed has not yet been finally determined. According to the state government, however, it is planned to set up this in Halle (Saale).

The tasks of the gambling authority will become complex. In addition to the control of the licensed providers with regard to compliance with the statutory provisions, the instance is to be given further powers.

This includes, among other things, the monitoring of the central lock file to be set up for players. In addition, the authority should ensure that players cannot exceed the planned deposit limit.

Need for clarification with the State Treaty

But before the new authority and the state treaty can be implemented, it must be confirmed by the state parliaments. According to Saxony-Anhalt's government, the parliament in the state capital Magdeburg will deal with the issue in the coming weeks.

A quick nationwide decision is not to be expected, as at least 13 of the 16 federal states have to agree. Currently, however, the project is also receiving strong headwinds from Saxony-Anhalt, among others.

This is how Rüdiger Erben criticizes the co-governing SPD:

What is happening now with the State Treaty on Gambling is a legitimation of illegal activities for many years.

After all, online gambling has been approved by state regulators for years, even though it is prohibited by law.

It is expected that the votes could last well into spring due to the need for clarification. If the necessary majority of parliaments approve, the new law should come into force on July 1, 2021.