GERMAN FOOTBALL SPONSORSHIPS COULD FACE BAN, AS DFB SCOLDED FOR BWIN ADVERTISING

The future of gambling sponsorships in German football has been thrown into doubt after the German Football Association (DFB) received a scolding from gambling regulators.

Apparently, authorities sent the DFB a strongly worded letter reminding them that it is illegal to advertise casino gambling under German law, and pointing out that their partnership with Bwin was effectively promoting casino gambling alongside the authorised sports betting.

Gambling partnerships are worth millions of Euros to German football, with the DFB itself having only recently entered the extensive deal with Bwin.

The letter, which was drafted by the Ministry of the Interior of Baden-Württemberg in cooperation with other authorities from other German states, emphasised that there was no doubt as to the illegality of advertising unauthorised gambling, and that if the DFB continued to promote Bwin, there was a risk of a complete advertising ban being enforced.

Such a ban would cost German football clubs and the DFB dearly, and it is unclear how a solution can be found as long as gambling companies like Bwin continue to offer casino games on the same sites, and under the same branding, as their sports betting.

AYO.NEWS says:

To many observers this will not come as a surprise. The fact that almost all bookmakers also offer casino gaming on the same sites, or closely co-branded sites, makes a complete mockery of all regulations, from any jurisdiction, designed to limit sponsorships and advertising to sports betting. What is perhaps surprising, is that its taken this long for the authorities to cotton on to such an obvious issue – especially considering the anti-gambling attitude prevalent in politics, leading to so many increasingly harsh restrictions and bans. Now look out for regulators in countries to follow suite.