German Supervisory authorities threaten the DFB due to advertising deals with sportsbook providers

Business News

Gambling companies are widespread in German football. In an unusually sharp letter, the German gambling supervisors of the countries have turned to the German Football Association (DFB). 

The background is the million-dollar contracts of gambling providers as advertising partners in German football. Most recently, the DFB had made an extensive partnership with Bwin public. In the future, even the German national team will promote the gambling provider.

In the letter to the DFB, the reporters of NDR and “Süddeutsche Zeitung” is available, it says: “Your partner Bwin offers in addition to sports betting, unfortunately, even without permission to participate in online casino and slot games.”

The Ministry of the Interior of Baden-Württemberg, which drafted the letter in agreement with the other countries, further states: “The relevant case-law leaves no room for doubt as to the illegality of such offers” and “advertising for unauthorized gambling is prohibited. The gambling supervisory authorities must work to prevent illegal gambling and advertising. ” If the DFB continues to promote Bwin in the future, “there is a risk that the advertising of Bwin is prohibited altogether.”

The prohibition of cooperation with gambling providers would cost the clubs and the DFB millions: According to press reports, Tipico will pay FC Bayern more than 5 million euros per season, the DFB is reported to receive even 50 million euros from Bwin for the advertising package. As far as the parties will probably not come. A possible compromise could be that the DFB bypasses the umbrella brand advertising and makes clear in its advertising messages that they only refer to a part of Bwin’s offer, namely sports betting. How such a solution would look concrete, however, is unclear.

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