Wacker cautions against excessive regulation.
Jörg Wacker, a board member of German soccer powerhouse FC Bayern Munich, has weighed in on the proposed liberalization of sports betting in Germany, cautioning against overly restrictive regulations. To keep customers from turning to unlicensed providers, the legal market must be more appealing, he says. Wacker is backed by the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) in his concerns. Here are the details:
Regulations - A Step Too Far?
"We must be mindful and avoid becoming a Super Big Brother," warns Wacker, who deals with internationalization and strategy as a member of FC Bayern's board. Before joining the Bavarian giants, Wacker led Germany for bwin, an Austrian bookmaker owned by GVC Holdings, for seven years. This makes him an authority on sports betting, too.
"It's key to keep customers in the legal sphere by making it appealing, or they might opt for less regulated options," the 52-year-old explains. The latest details show that there's a plan for curbs on live betting, and bettors will be limited to a maximum of €1,000 in deposits per month. A sports betting authority is planned to keep tabs on the market.
The new regulations are expected in 2021. Wacker poses questions about the need for control and whether customers, operators, and clubs should bear more responsibility. "This question applies in all areas of life," says Wacker, "because it's not illegal."
He also dismisses the "illegal" tag for operators, as they're licensed in the EU, must pay taxes based on local laws, and contribute significantly to German tax coffers, which is currently around €500 million.
Resistance to Restrictions
Wacker acknowledges that control and player protection are vital, but he also reasons that past experience shows that bans and strict regulations foster a black market. Instead, an attractive legal betmarket is necessary. "A regulated environment is generally good," Wacker says. "However, leaving more to market forces is crucial."
He's wary of the planned regulations, warning that a €1,000 monthly deposit limit and a ban on live betting carry the risk of driving players to the black market, where they can bet bigger sums. "An inside look would be helpful," he suggests.
Wacker acknowledges that live betting is top-selling, offering around 60% of total revenues. "If there's no live betting, why not just let it carry on as it is?" he wonders.
Benefits of Sponsorship
Recently, Bundesliga clubs like Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Köln have been criticized for partnering with betting companies. The controversy allows Wacker to highlight the benefits of legal betting partnerships in sports. FC Bayern and Tipico (Malta), for instance, have been working together since 2015.
"Betting sponsorship deals are profitable for everyone, with sports betting being accepted globally," he notes. "We carefully work with the top brand," he adds, emphasizing that they value reputable operators committed to sporting competition as their top priority.
"Several systems safeguard sporting integrity - self-exclusion and monitoring, among others," Wacker points out. "With Swiss firm Sportradar, we've set up effective anti-bet-manipulation procedures."
DSWV Says Restrictions Aren't the Answer
The DSWV agrees with Wacker, calling for improvements in the new Interstate Gambling Treaty to make the legal offer more appealing. They stress the need for an adaptable, flexible regulatory authority in the fast-changing sporting world. "Stiff guidelines unable to evolve with time won't protect players or push back the illicit market," explains DSWV President Mathias Dahms.
In the beginning of the month, DSWV declared a remarkable record in the German sports betting industry. The reported statistics are from the Federal Ministry of Finance. In 2019, athletes in Germany wagered an astonishing EUR 9.3 billion, marking a significant 21% advance from the previous year. The government pocketed more than 500 million euros in taxes. The coming events are still unknown.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
