The German state of Schleswig-Holstein has issued its first licenses for online casino games, including poker, according to a press release issued by the State today.
Twelve operators, including Ladbrokes, 888 and Betfair have received licenses. PokerStars, under subsidiary name REEL Germany Limited (Malta), is also listed, along with ElectraWorks, a bwin.party subsidiary.
Bet-at-home, mybet, and bet365 were also on the list published today.
The licenses give operators the ability to offer a wide selection of “online casino games,” and online poker falls into this category.
The regulations contain various stipulations to protect players, including outlawing online poker bots. Online casinos must include “hourly reality checks” to inform players how much they have won or lost, and operators must demonstrate how they secure their IT infrastructure and player data.
Today’s news further muddies the confusing state of affairs in Germany.
