Entain has obtained a number of new online gaming licenses in Germany, including the country’s first two licenses for internet poker. Approved by the State Administrative Office of Saxony-Anhalt, Entain has received a total of five licenses, two of which allow the operator to offer online poker through its brands ‘bwin’ and ‘Ladbrokes’.
The other three licenses will allow its two brands, as well as Sportingbet, to offer iGaming across the country. All five new licenses will run for five years and are in addition to Entain’s existing licenses to offer online sports betting in Germany under each brand.
“We are delighted to now have our licenses for gaming and poker services in the German regulated market, allowing us to offer and market them to our customers,” said Entain’s Director of Governance Robert Hoskin.
“It is an important and welcome step towards achieving the goal of a fully regulated online betting and gaming market in Germany. Only through this regulation and its enforcement will we avoid the reality of customers going to the illegal market, where none of the safeguards that reputable operators like Entain ensure,” added Hoskin.
The latest licenses come after German state casino Sächsische Spielbanken earlier this month became the country’s first state-owned casino operator to obtain an online slot machine license. The operator, which has a monopoly on the land-based casino sector in the state of Saxony, will offer online slots to players in Germany via the Sachsenlotto.de website.
About Entain
Entain is one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups, operating both online and in the retail sector. In December 2020, the company underwent a branding process to reflect its ambition to be the world leader in sports betting and gaming entertainment. The group has a comprehensive portfolio of established brands.
With licenses in more than 27 countries, the group employs a workforce of more than 24,000, in 20 offices on five continents, having a presence in the main markets of the world and delivering opportunities to all betting lovers.