EGBA urges German parliament to reconsider online casino tax proposal

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has warned that the proposal by the German Bundesrat to introduce a 5

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has warned that the proposition past the German Bundesrat to present a 5.3% tax on online fire hook and slots stakes would undermine the cay direct of the country’s new online play regulations to verbatim online poker and slots customers into a regulated market.

Moreover, according to the EGBA, the proposal would be in breach of EU commonwealth assist rules.

The body suggests that the revenue enhancement appraise would trench upon the competitiveness of the regulated market, and would lead to 49% of High German players switching to unregulated websites, based on a young player study published by Goldmedia.

The EGBA added that the proposal is punitive, and would result inwards online salamander and slots beingness taxed at rates higher than their retail eq land-based casinos, which would make up an illegal say financial aid under EU law. The Goldmedia study suggests that the tax reward for land-based operators would be as high as €290m (£250m) a year inwards the tell of Bavaria alone.

The EGBA has, therefore, urged members of the High German parliament to reconsider the proposition when it is debated in the Bundestag inward the coming weeks.

“We welcome the regularization of the High German online play market, and we fully revalue that an online gambling taxation testament demand to be paid,” said EGBA escritoire superior general Maarten Haijer.

“However, we urge the High German parliament to reconsider the proposed punitory order of the tax because it will force German language players to usage unprotected and unregulated black-market websites and commit land-based operators a massive taxation advantage.

“We place upright ready to share our experiences in other jurisdictions of the EU, and firmly trust that a taxation unwavering tin be naturalized which strikes the right hand equilibrise between meeting the needs of the High German consumer piece ensuring sufficient revenue enhancement revenue for the state.”