Entain plc, the world’s largest sports betting, gaming, and interactive entertainment group, can now offer its services throughout Germany as it’s been awarded licenses by the State Administrative Office of Saxony-Anhalt. All new licenses will run for five years, some in addition to the already existing Entain’s certifications.

Entain secures the first online poker licences in Germany

Entain has been granted all five licenses it applied for, and two include the first online poker permits in Germany. Furthermore, Entain is the first operator ever to receive a license to provide online poker, and in Germany, it provides its services via its Bwin and Ladbrokes brands.

The licenses are an addition to the existing permits that offer online sports betting and will enhance and secure Entain’s position as a market leader for sports betting and igaming in Germany.

With Bwin, Ladbrokes, and Sportingbet, Entain offers an extensive array of games which is a leg up to the competitors.

Robert Hoskin, Entain’s Chief Governance Officer, commented that the Group is delighted to achieve the goal of picking up a license for operating in the regulated German market and offering both online poker and gaming services to the customers.

He also emphasized that only through such regulations and enforcement will customers avoid going to the black markets, where there are no safeguards to protect them. Entain, on the other hand, guarantees players’ safety.

Important step for the German online gambling market

Entain has left its mark on German online gaming. The Group has already received its licenses to offer online slots to German players. However, until now, slot machines, in addition to sports betting, were the only gaming options to make up the German gaming space.

Though there are numerous platforms to offer such products, players have yet to have a legal option for table games. With the new licenses by the SAO, players will enjoy legal and regulated poker for the first time. This is a revolutionary step for Entain and the German online gambling market.