The Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia has made the decision to open the German state to online casino operations, under the the Fourth Interstate Gambling Treaty (GlüNeuRStv).

Issuing an update on its website, the Landtag – the state assembly – revealed that five licences for online gaming will be distributed in Germany’s most populous federal state. 

Legislators have also detailed that the procedure for granting licences has been regulated, with measures for supervision and player protection included, as have the extent of taxes and duties which must be paid by online gaming operators.

In line with the requirements of the GlüNeuRStv regime, however, online gaming will only include roulette, blackjack and baccarat, with licence for poker and slot games yet to be approved. 

North Rhine Legislators explained that legal online casino titles are being legalised into to channel consumer demand towards a ‘permitted market’ and away from black market providers and/or offshore, unregulated firms.