Telecom giant Deutsche Telekom (DT) has launched its new German-facing online sports betting site Tipp3.de.
The Tipp3 betting site began taking wagers on Wednesday, with a focus on football betting but basketball, hockey, tennis and Formula 1 racing are also on the menu. Tipp3 says it will limit its offering to pro sports events, with no markets for amateur or youth matches.
DT head of digital media Matthias Schmidt-Pfizner, said the telecom firm meant to establish itself in the growing sports betting market as “a trustworthy online provider with a maximum focus on security, quality and the customer experience.”
DT announced its online sports betting plans in February after acquiring a 64% stake in Austrian sports betting operator Deutsche Sportswetten (DSW), which operates the Austrian-licensed Tipp3.at site. DSW’s minority partner is Österreichische Sportwetten, part of the Casinos Austria Group.
DT’s plans were immediately assailed by Deutsche Lotto and Totoblock (DLTB), which represents German’s lottery and pool betting operators. DLTB claimed an Austrian-licensed site had no business slipping its straw over the German border to drink DLTB’s milkshake, particularly since the German government holds a significant stake in DT.
DT has justified its actions by reminding everyone that DSW was among the 20 lucky recipients of a German federal online sports betting license. DT’s position is that it’s not its fault if the German licensing regime is hopelessly mired in legal challenges. Until the matter is resolved, DT believes it’s better for DT to take German punters’ action than some site that hasn’t received federal blessing. To sweeten the pot, Tipp3.de is offering new customers a first deposit bonus of up to €103.
