.svg)
Body
The German commissioner in charge of addiction issues is calling for stricter limits on sports-betting marketing, as the issue of gambling advertising heats up.
Burkhard Blienert of the Social Democratic Party has given interviews calling for âas little advertising for sports betting, preferably none at allâ to media, including the MĂŒnchner Merkur.
The commissioner, who is part of the health ministry, is calling for a ban on sports-betting TV and radio advertising before 9pm, to match one already in place for online casino games.
"Advertising for offers that endanger addiction is never something sensible," he said.
He would like restrictions in place before the start of footballâs World Cup in Qatar in November.
The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) said the interstate treaty, which enabled online gambling, states that all gambling and betting licensees are allowed to advertise their products âin a responsible mannerâ.
The treaty has only been in effect for a little over a year and the new Joint Gambling Authority for the Federal States (GGL) a little more than a month, a DSWV spokeswoman said.
âTrying to undermine the new legislation before the newly liberalised German gambling market even had the chance to establish itself would be an irrational and non-evidence-based move,â she said.
Overly restrictive rules will hurt the channelisation of gambling to licensed operators and, therefore, strengthen the black market, the DSWV said.
About 16 of 18 Bundesliga clubs have betting club sponsors, according to the Merkur newspaper, including Betway, Entainâs bwin, Interwetten, Tipwin and 888Sport.
Britainâs Premier League, where almost half of clubs have betting sponsors, is reportedly asking clubs to phase out betting sponsorships by 2024-25.
Stephan Mayer of the Christian Social Union party said a German betting ban is ânot necessaryâ.
He called for a "protractedly negotiated, fair and good compromise", according to the Merkur.
Last week, a coalition of groups including state and federal addiction prevention organisations, fan groups and Transparency International Germany announced they were organising into a group called the Alliance Against Sports Betting Advertising to press for the strictest possible advertising restrictions.
