Joined: Feb '11
Location: Germany
Age: 31 (M)
Posts: 1859
Posted by DaMessiah666:
Posted by whycliff: Fake Story nothing change in German law.
It's not a fake story, I read it in a very valuated forum but I can't post the link because it goes against the rules. I don't know if finally Germany will ban online poker but, at least, they are thinking of it. Just google a little if you don't believe it
Are you even reading any of the other posts on the thread? It's been posted twice or even 3 times by now... Online poker was ALWAYS forbidden in germany,the new law would simply clarify the point of it being forbidden in the new law,however even if they do this,nothing will change for the german players.
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Portugal
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 4827
It is passing from country to country and it will affect many others, at least in the European Union. But online poker pros keep believing it can’t be a definitive decision and that things will get solved in the future. In Portugal, for instance, those who play serious do it always against foreigners, because they know each other from their country, know the value they have, and they prefer to go get the Money of those who have a lot from other countries, even some rich old men who like to play online just to pass time. If they will be obligated to play against each other because of a law like this, then there will be a huge cut of action, at least in the higher amounts.
Joined: Mar '09
Location: Greece
Age: 47 (F)
Posts: 14136
Fakiry if the pros have such hopes they are false. In countries all over the world citizens havent managed to altered things that affects their everyday personal life, things that will put some food in their plate, and you think this will change?
thats really bad....germany is following USA for banning online poker....what is that for?you cannot bet your own money now especially if you win it from pokerfreeroll....hahaha
Joined: Apr '11
Location: Romania
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 6669
I saw that in general the main idea is to make people to play only with their countrymans which sucks...
As it was posted in couple of posts above you can do anything with your money plus players from different countries bring a bit of variety in the game.
Joined: May '10
Location: Germany
Age: 43 (M)
Posts: 60
Posted by DaMessiah666: Posted by whycliff: Fake Story nothing change in German law. Smile
It's not a fake story, I read it in a very valuated forum but I can't post the link because it goes against the rules. I don't know if finally Germany will ban online poker but, at least, they are thinking of it. Just google a little if you don't believe it
Are you even reading any of the other posts on the thread? It's been posted twice or even 3 times by now... Online poker was ALWAYS forbidden in germany,the new law would simply clarify the point of it being forbidden in the new law,however even if they do this,nothing will change for the german players.
Joined: May '08
Location: Lithuania
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 10090
now if this happens it's big news for online operators- to be fair when spain closed (partially) this wasn't to big, because of the economic condition of the country etc., but if germany closes- one of the strongest economies in the world, with so many players who can play mid-high stakes? that would be a massive blow imo
Joined: Nov '11
Location: Poland
Age: 37 (M)
Posts: 1081
I wonder WHY ?? Why? Government should sign agreements with pokersites and take some rake, eg. 1%... then pokersites should increase their rake 1% up and everyone will be happy
This is maybe the simplest and the best solution.
Maybe someone has other solutions? Any economic, lawyer players here?
Joined: Mar '11
Location: Germany
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 1242
Posted by BeMyATMplz: Ok I've reviewed the current situation and it really doesnt look too great atm,there's indeed a chance germans are banned from 1st july..
Will you then please explain what you have reviewed and where this comes from. I can´t find relevant news that indicates this. Would be interesting to know. Thanks.
Joined: Mar '09
Location: Greece
Age: 47 (F)
Posts: 14136
If germany also gets the ban going with online poker, then things getting uglier for the rest of the countries and especially european ones, which seem to follow the same pattern. No news for the situation in Greece so far. I hope its going to stay this way.
Joined: Feb '11
Location: Germany
Age: 31 (M)
Posts: 1859
Posted by MIGO14:
Posted by BeMyATMplz: Ok I've reviewed the current situation and it really doesnt look too great atm,there's indeed a chance germans are banned from 1st july..
Will you then please explain what you have reviewed and where this comes from. I can't find relevant news that indicates this. Would be interesting to know. Thanks.
I've read the relevant thread on 2+2and there people arent very optimistic. However I've written an email to stars support explaining the current situation and got a very detailed & satisfying reply (ITS LONG!)
Hello Kevin,
Thank you for contacting PokerStars regarding this issue.
You may have heard the news that the efficacy of gaming laws in Germany will come into effect on July 1st. This Law will then coexist next to the gaming law in Schleswig-Holstein. You may be interested, in how those new regulations and discussions will be affecting the service of PokerStars. To ensure that you receive comprehensive and accurate information, we would like to update you on the situation.
Following a ruling by the European Court of Justice from 8 September 2010, the current German protectionist and monopolistic gaming market contravenes the European law. The federal states have since been encouraged to draft a gaming regulation for Germany that is compliant with EU law.
So far only the state Schleswig-Holstein created a new law. The new law by the state of Schleswig-Holstein was passed on 14.09.2011 and came into effect by 01.01.2012. The new law has been reviewed already by the European Commission and found to be compliant with the EU law. According to this law, online poker websites like PokerStars can apply for and ultimately obtain a German licence. PokerStars has already applied for such a licence and is just awaiting approval. Until now PokerStars has received a licence in all countries in which we applied for. The German Licence would be the 8th Licence for PokerStars in Europe. There is no other Poker Platform with so many licences as PokerStars. After we receive a Licence, PokerStars will create a .de Domain in Schleswig Holstein, which is already in process. We expect that this will not be a closed German system. German players will still be able to play international and to compete with players all around the world.
There is a second draft by the other states opposing the Gambling Act of Schleswig-Holstein, which states that (online) sport bets should be partially liberalised. Even though this draft has been criticised by the EU-Commission, as the licences are limited to 20 and there are no online poker licences designated at all, the Gambling Act will come into effect on July 1st. However, this Act leaves some unanswered questions regarding the Interstates' Lottery Treaty, as for it to come into effect, it needs to not only be passed by the states but also by federal level. Therefore a timely passing of this amendment by July 1st is very unlikely, as the Finance Committee already adjourned the draft of the legislation on the taxation of (online) sports betting, which was suggested by the Federal Council. Additionally, even officials - who were part of drafting the new Gambling Act- confessed that it still shows significant shortcomings.
Despite all the criticism in Germany, there will be two different control systems in place by July 1st: The new State Treaty on Gaming and Gambling and the Gambling Act in Schleswig-Holstein.
Again this will lead to dissonance as we have seen with the European Court before in 2011. Back then the State Treaty on Gaming and Gambling was criticised. Furthermore, we do not expect that Schleswig-Holstein will change its previous path to join the State Treaty by July 1st. Even in the event that Schleswig-Holstein joins the Treaty despite the criticism it would receive, the state would have to take back the gambling law first. The law can not be taken back until the state parliament meeting at the end of August 2012. Furthermore, the suggestion to take back the Gambling law would need to be presented to the EU-Commission for approval. As soon as it is presented to the EU-Commission it will take 3 months before Schleswig-Holstein would be able to join the State Treaty. Additionally, it is very unlikely that the EU-Commission would take back the Gambling Law. Also, even though it would be possible for Schleswig-Holstein to join the State Treaty at the end of the year, it is very unlikely.
Due to a violation of the European fundamental freedom rights (§ 284 StGB) by the State Treaty of Gaming and Gambling, which states that gambling is a criminal offence, the law is currently not applicable. This was ruled on June 15th 2012 by the Munich District Court. Furthermore, Poker is considered a game of skill in which everyone should be able to participate without prosecution. Therefore providing a platform for prohibited Gambling under these circumstances is legal. Therefore playing at PokerStars can not be prosecuted as per § 285 StGB.
Due to Schleswig-Holstein's pioneering role and the clear statements made by the EU commission regarding this issue, we are confident that a reliable legal regulation will be found for the more than four million online poker players in Germany.
In any case, we will continue to closely monitor any developments on the issue and we are in constant contact with German lawyers to ensure that we can provide our customers with up-to-date information about possible changes in regards to this situation.
Finally, we wish to emphasise that PokerStars will continue to provide you with a safe and secure gaming experience, as well as the highest level of security for your deposits. You are more than welcome to continue to play and enjoy poker with PokerStars.
As usual, should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Joined: Dec '08
Location: Netherlands
Age: 42 (M)
Posts: 579
I hope it will be run by governements worldwide and be monitered very very strickt so that these "companies" on their islands cant make up their own rules and just without consequences rip people of ....
I realy wont mind paying the rake or losses in other games to our governement if this means online gambling was totally fair and free of all these bogus sites stealing our money
Cant believe this is even possible that all these sites/companies can just settle on an island and just do everything they want...f ing unbelieveble
Joined: Mar '09
Location: Greece
Age: 47 (F)
Posts: 14136
Do you really believe that any country will monitor them in terms of being lawful cardwise? If they are taxing you and getting your money every time they just dont care for anything more.
Joined: Oct '08
Location: Germany
Age: 49 (M)
Posts: 2025
@german players
since a couple days ive been trying to connect to PS without succes, so i thought i do ask here before i contact support - maybe i get a quicker answer. do u have trouble to connect to PS or is it just me?
Joined: Apr '11
Location: Romania
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 6669
Posted by T3ddyKGB: @german players
since a couple days ive been trying to connect to PS without succes, so i thought i do ask here before i contact support - maybe i get a quicker answer. do u have trouble to connect to PS or is it just me?
I have a friend in Germany and he plays everyday on Pokerstars including the last days so the problem must be on your end...
I would advice you to reinstall the Pokerstars client and then try again and it should work fine for you
Joined: Mar '11
Location: Germany
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 1242
Posted by T3ddyKGB: @german players
since a couple days ive been trying to connect to PS without succes, so i thought i do ask here before i contact support - maybe i get a quicker answer. do u have trouble to connect to PS or is it just me?
No problem at all for me. Played the last 4 days as usual. @ Bemyatm: Thanks for showing us this long answer. Looks good I think, so hopefully other rooms will have the same opinion.
dozn01
