The new treaty also sets out plans for stricter enforcement against unauthorised operators, as well as the possibility of legalising online casino gambling activities in the future.
However, the approval comes despite the heavy criticism from the European Commission (EC), which earlier this month said the treaty was "not a viable solution” to issues highlighted in the failed 2012 treaty.
The treaty also still requires ratification from each German state, and lawmakers in Schleswig-Holstein, a long-time supporter of online gambling, have said that the treaty is unlikely to be approved.
The EC has now called on Germany to accelerate the legalisation of other online gaming formats in order to help provide more protection for consumers in the country.
However, the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) said the approval was a "small step in the right direction”, while member operator mybet said that it "welcomes the efforts to regulate the German market in total”.
Source: GMB / igamingbusiness.com
