European Poker Given Boost

Tuesday, 28 November 2006

Austria-based online betting and poker group Bwin has announced the first of several ‘awareness’ campaigns across Europe, beginning in Germany.
Bwin's German campaign has been scheduled to coincide with the December 13 meeting of prime minister

Austria-based online betting and poker group Bwin has announced the first of several ‘awareness’ campaigns across Europe, beginning in Germany.
Bwin's German campaign has been scheduled to coincide with the December 13 meeting of prime ministers from 16 German provinces (Lander) who will discuss the new 'Lotterie-Staatsvertrag,' a draft document containing regulations affecting the German gaming industry.
The campaign will be prominent at football grounds across Germany, with advertising banners already adorning such slogans as 'kein Monopol' (no monopoly) and 'freies wetten' (freedom to bet).
Manfred Bodner, co-chief executive of Bwin, noted, 'This is a common initiative instigated by all the parties that are being damaged by political manoeuvres.' Bodner added that similar campaigns will be launched across Europe via the European Betting Association, the European industry's trade body.
The draft of the Lotterie-Staatsvertrag is also likely to be affected by the infringement procedure against Germany, initiated by the European Commission in the summer, which highlighted how Germany's gambling practices are not in line with EU law.



Tags: Poker News, European, Poker, Given, Boost