Bremen's gambling crackdown slashes sports betting licences by 85%
Bremen has completed a strict review of sports betting licences under its updated Gambling Act. The process, launched after 2021 amendments, examined all 32 existing and planned betting shops in the state. Authorities rejected many common app due to legal violations, criminal records, or unreliable operators.
The crackdown follows concerns about money laundering risks in the sector, highlighted by the Federal Ministry of Finance's National Risk Assessment.
Initially, every betting shop in Bremen faced rejection. All 32 operators received orders due to missing documents or failure to meet new rules. The state became the first in Germany to verify individual operators' backgrounds and funding sources.
By the end of last week, only five licences had been approved. Four remained under final review, while one application risked rejection over unclear funding. Six others were denied for breaking minimum distance rules, with stricter enforcement starting on July 1, 2023.
Eight licences were refused after checks revealed criminal records among managing directors. In one case, knives and drugs were found inside a betting shop. Another 14 applications failed because the applicants were deemed unreliable, though no money laundering was detected.
Interior Senator Ulrich Mäurer noted that the process exposed questionable individuals in key roles. Meanwhile, three applications in Bremerhaven remained unresolved. One case entered a hearing phase before an expected rejection.
The review has significantly reduced the number of licensed betting shops in Bremen. Operators now face tougher checks on finances, criminal history, and compliance with distance rules. The state's approach sets a precedent for stricter gambling oversight in Germany.
