Germany Targets Online Gamblers: Fines Man €65,000

A 25-year-old German blackjack player has been fined €65,000 for patronizing a Gibraltar-based site that holds a United Kingdom license.  The player in question had amassed €201,500 in winnings this past summer.

The size of his five withdrawals alerted authorities in Germany, where it is illegal to engage in such activities under the Intestate Treaty on Gambling 2012 (ISTG).

“Whosoever participates in a public game of chance (Section 284) shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding 180 daily units.”

This represents the first time an actual online gambler has been punished under the law.  Despite the restrictions, it is estimated that Germans make up a significant percentage of the Web gambling market.

The gambler, who was not named, pointed to German tennis legend Boris Becker and the Munich football team as being sponsors of the site in question.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com