Betting office operator secures legal victory, obtaining official operating permit
In a significant victory for betting shop operators, Ertan Peker, the operator of a Tipico betting shop in Burgkunstadt, Bavaria, has successfully challenged a closure order. This triumph follows a similar case in Passau, where another betting shop operator managed to overturn a decision to close their establishment.
The news of Peker's court case victory was published in the Obermain Tagblatt on November 17, 2023. The Bavarian Administrative Court overturned the decision to close Peker's betting shop in Passau, allowing it to continue.
Peker's betting shop in Burgkunstadt was first opened in August 2013, making it the first private bookmaker in the city. However, the city ordered its closure in the same year, threatening him with a fine of 5,000 euros. Peker, undeterred, embarked on a long and difficult process to secure an operating license, which he finally achieved on October 31, 2023.
With the new franchise partner, Sportwetten.de, Peker's betting shop offers higher odds, attracting more customers. Large-screen TVs have been installed to entertain guests and allow them to watch and bet on many live games.
Peker's betting shop in Burgkunstadt is not without controversy. In the past, a significant win occurred in 2014, where a customer won over 21,000 euros with a 5 euro bet. The city had initially ordered the closure of Peker's betting shop due to a breach of the minimum distance regulation, with the betting shop located less than 60 meters from a school.
However, Peker emphasizes the importance of adhering to youth protection measures at his betting shop. Customers can self-exclude from gambling, ensuring a safe and responsible environment. The court's decision in Passau was based on a possible breach of the minimum distance regulation in Bavaria against EU law.
This court case marks another instance of a betting operator successfully challenging a closure order. As Peker's betting shop continues to operate, it serves as a testament to the resilience of the betting industry in the face of regulatory challenges.
In light of the court case victory of Ertan Peker's Tipico betting shop in Burgkunstadt, online casinos in Germany may find more opportunities to operate, given the successful challenges against closure orders. Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts in Germany can anticipate a broader array of casino-games and sports-betting options, as Peker's betting shop, now offering higher odds through a new franchise partner, continues to lead the way in the casino-and-gambling industry.
