FRANKFURT (AFX) - Premiere AG hopes to break Germany's state monopoly on gambling and is aiming in the next two years to launch Internet casinos, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported, citing an internal company document.

According to the document, Premiere is already in talks to cooperate with international online casinos such as Party Poker and 888.

In two weeks, the German Federal Constitutional Court is scheduled to hold a hearing in Karlsruhe on whether the gambling market should be opened up to private companies.

On August 1, Premiere launched its betting TV channel Premiere Win.

maria.sheahan@afxnews.com

ms/joy

COPYRIGHT

Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved.

The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.

AFX News and the AFX Financial News logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited