Entain Blazes a Trail with New Poker Licence in Germany
Published November 28, 2022 by Lee R
Entain is the first to be licenced for poker in valuable Germany.
Global sports betting group Entain has been awarded key licenses in the still emerging powerful Germany market.
The Licences
The sports betting, gaming, and interactive leader Entain plc (LSE: ENT) has secured gaming and poker licenses from the State Administrative Office of Saxony-Anhalt, for operation throughout Germany.
Application Rate
Five out of five licences applied for were granted, opening the door for Entain to offer gaming through its bwin, Ladbrokes and Sportingbet brands, as well as offering poker through bwin and Ladbrokes.
New Ground
Each license has been granted for a term of five years, with Entain being the first operator to licenced to offer online poker in the German jurisdiction.
Existing Licences
The new licenses are added to the sports betting licences Entain already holds for each brand in Germany, and the new licences will provide a leading market position for Entain in Germany.
Entain Chief Speaks
Entain Chief Governance Officer Robert Hoskin expressed his organisation’s delight at securing the gaming and poker licences as an important step towards a fully regulated market in Germany:
Only through such regulation and its enforcement will we avoid the reality of customers going to the black market where there are none of the safeguards that reputable operators such as Entain guarantee.
Entain’s Foothold
The foothold in Germany is consistent with Entain’s status as a global iGaming leader. As an FTSE100 company and one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups, the Group has built up a diverse array of brands both online and on land.
All Entain Brands
Entain’s portfolio of Sportsbetting brands includes bwin, Coral, Crystalbet, Eurobet, Ladbrokes, Neds, Sportingbet, and Sports Interaction; while Entain’s Gaming Brands include Foxy Bingo, Gala, GiocoDigitale, Ninja Casino, Optibet, Partypoker and PartyCasino with proprietary technology across all verticals.
Additional Services
Entain provides B2B services to third-party customers in addition to the B2C sector in which Entain established itself.
Entain’s Reach
Based in the UK, Entain leverages in-house gaming studios to provide key technology to the American market as well via a 50/50 joint venture with leading US sports betting and iGaming provider BetMGM, a leader in sports betting and iGaming in the US.
At this point, Entain operates in over 40 regulated or regulating territories. The move into the German market represents a significant leadership milestone, exemplifying Entain’s acumen for driving growth in the iGaming sector.
Outlook
The new licences are also key victories for the sustainability of the German market, in incorporating one of iGaming’s most powerful and credible brands to promote regulated play.
