Betting outlets in Berlin that operate without a permit and do not comply with the minimum distance to gaming arcades (500 meters) or schools (200 meters) must be temporarily closed. This was recently decided by the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court (OVG) (OVG 1 S 5/23). The ruling confirms several decisions by the Berlin Administrative Court.
The responsible state office for civil and regulatory affairs had prohibited several betting providers from continuing to offer sports betting at certain locations due to a lack of permits and non-compliance with minimum distances. The betting providers filed urgent applications against this.
However, the OVG stood firm and invoked the State Treaty on Gambling 2021, which expressly aims to reduce the number of betting outlets in order to prevent gambling and betting addiction and to ensure the protection of young people and gamblers. The decisions taken are final.
Source: berlin.de/ Decisions from March 28, 2023 - OVG 1 S 5/23 -, March 29, 2023 - OVG 1 S 11/23 -, April 19, 2023 - OVG 1 S 3/23 -, April 20, 2020 - OVG 1 S 9/23 - and April 26, 2020 - OVG 1 S 4/23 and others.
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