Germany’s top constitutional court upheld a state-run casino monopoly in Bavaria, ruling the law is properly designed to protect the public.”The law restricting casino licenses is intended to combat addiction and doesn’t violate the German Constitution, the Karlsruhe-based Federal Constitutional Court said in a faxed statement. Protecting consumers from crime related to gambling is a compelling state interest that justifies limiting the freedom of private businesses, the court said.

“European courts have issued conflicting rulings on state-run gaming monopolies.

“…Today’s case was brought by a private company, Casino GmbH & Co. Spielbankenbetriebs KG i.Gr., seeking a casino license in Bavaria. The company was denied a license to open casinos in Bad Fuessing and Feuchtwagen, where state-run casinos already operate…”