The German state North Rhine-Westphalia has approved amendments to its Online Casino Gaming Act, introducing a legal framework that allows licensed third-party service providers to host and live-stream casino games on behalf of licensed online operators.
Under the revised legislation, service providers will be able to supply dedicated premises and technical infrastructure for live dealer games, provided they receive approval from the state's licensing authority. While they may facilitate the live broadcasting of games, they will not be recognised as gambling operators or intermediaries under the law.
The amendments set out a range of licensing requirements for service providers, including financial stability, IT security standards, transparent ownership structures and restrictions on relationships with operators involved in illegal gambling. Providers must also demonstrate that their management and key personnel meet suitability and integrity requirements.
The legislation makes clear that licensed online casino operators will retain responsibility for regulatory compliance, including player verification, age and identity checks, customer account management, self-exclusion checks and player protection measures. Service providers will be prohibited from accessing players' personal data, except where technically necessary to process IP addresses or unique player identifiers.
The reforms also prohibit service provider employees from participating in the games they help conduct or from offering credit to players.
Alongside the new framework for live casino providers, the amendments introduce updated rules covering concession procedures, external compliance audits, personnel suitability checks and residency verification requirements for players.
The Ministry responsible for gambling supervision will be empowered to issue further regulations governing licensing procedures, technical standards and operational requirements.
At the same time, the Greek Gaming Commission (EEEP) is preparing a proposal that would allow live casino studios to operate within the country.
Germany’s Joint Gambling Authority of the federal states (GGL) is expanding the LUGAS regulatory data system with public-sector IT provider Dataport to support evaluation of the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling
