Play'n GO joins DOCV to strengthen local effort, help industry get heard on core issues

• Play’n GO joins DOCV to help boost the local industry effort in advocating for a stronger regulatory framework
• ​Among the issues to be addressed is a disagreement over the scale of the problem, i.e., channelization and black market influence
• ​Play’n GO is committed to helping the industry get heard and produce a better outcome for everyone in terms of anti-black market action and player channelization

​Play’n GO has joined the Deutscher Online Casinoverband, the German Online Casino Association (DOCV), as part of the supplier’s effort to strengthen its presence in the country as well as increase its engagement with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and regulators in Germany.

​TheDOCVis a trade body representing the interests of the regulated online casino industry and has long served as a forum where policymakers, authorities, media, the public, and businesses can come together to discuss issues that directly impact the industry.

Play'n GO wants to help the industry get heard and further bolster DOCV's efforts

​​From strengthening player protection measures to forging sustainable market rules that don't alienate or push people into the black market, DOCV has been offering practical advice that can be applied to the existing German regulatory framework.

​Play’n GO has welcomed the opportunity and has argued that Germany is currently at a point in its regulatory development that is "not good enough," citing the operational challenges brands face when competing against black market companies that fail to uphold the same standards of responsible play and player protection as licensed companies.

​DOCV unanimously approved the expansion through the addition of Play’n GO, a world-beating supplier of online casino content, marking the latest addition of a powerful and influential industry member.

​Commenting on the expansion, Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO, sought to identify the issues that lie ahead for the market.

​"Germany should be one of Europe’s great regulated online gaming markets, but commercially the current position is not good enough. Licensed operators are being asked to compete with illegal businesses that do not pay the same taxes, follow the same rules, or meet the same standards of player protection."

​Olsson did not mince his words and hurried to highlight the importance of strong regulation and why the current German framework may not be tailored to address the challenges of the black market. Specifically, Olsson pointed out the disagreement between the DOCV and the regulator on the true scale of the issue.

Helping identify and agree on the scale of the problem

​"There is also a fundamental disagreement about the true scale of the problem. Industry estimates place channelisation between 30 and 50 per cent, while the official position is significantly higher. Whichever figure one accepts, too much activity is taking place outside the regulated market, and that should concern everyone who wants German regulation to succeed," Olsson added.

​Shawn Fluharty, Head of Government Affairs at Play’n GO, has further highlighted the need for a unified effort across the industry in order to produce better outcomes. In real terms, this means stronger channelization and meaningful action against illegal operators.

​"We are joining the DOCV because we intend to be an active participant in that work, and because Germany is simply too important for responsible companies to remain on the sidelines," Fluharty added.

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