For more than five years, German courts have been dealing with lawsuits to reclaim losses from online gambling.

The Higher District Court of Zweibrücken has made a reference decision that could have far-reaching consequences for the entire gambling industry.

The highest German court, the Bundesgerichtshof (BGH), has suspended legal proceedings against a German sports betting operator for the reimbursement of stakes, in favour of a reference to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

Player claims against casino operators are already big business in Germany, but a recent order by the country's highest civil court indicates that future claims against betting operators could now succeed as well.

Well over 1000 gamblers have filed lawsuits in Germany against online gambling providers based in Malta over the past two years.