Hambach & Hambach Law Firm
- Headquarters
- Munich, Germany
- info@timelaw.de
- Phone
- +49 89 389 97550
Hambach & Hambach is a Munich-based boutique law firm that offers corporate legal and strategic consultancy exclusively to the TIME industries—telecommunications, internet, media, and entertainment. Founded by Dr. Wulf Hambach and Claus Hambach, the firm has built a global reputation as one of the leading law firms in gaming and gambling law, most notably achieving a landmark victory in the 'Carmen Media' case before the European Court of Justice, which forced Germany to overhaul its gaming legislation. The firm advises domestic and international companies along the entire value chain of e‑gaming, e‑payment, skill and social gaming, as well as IP/IT and commercial law. It also supplies strategic board‑level counsel to investors, operators, payment providers, and platform operators entering regulated markets. Through its cooperation network with law firms in Amsterdam, Madrid and Rome, Hambach & Hambach operates the industry information portal GamingLaw.eu and remains a key influencer in European and international gaming regulation. The firm's founding partner Dr. Wulf Hambach has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top five gaming lawyers worldwide by Who's Who Legal, and the firm consistently earns top rankings from Chambers Global.
Detailed Review
History and Regulatory Impact
Hambach & Hambach was founded by Dr. Wulf Hambach and Claus Hambach, and the firm gained international prominence through its successful representation of the “Carmen Media” case before the European Court of Justice. That ruling (Case C‑26/08) declared Germany’s state‑monopoly model for sports betting incompatible with European Union law, effectively triggering a comprehensive overhaul of German gambling legislation. This victory cemented the firm’s status as a leading authority in gaming law.
Services and Expertise
The firm offers legal advice and strategic consultancy in gaming and gambling regulation (licensing, compliance, anti‑money laundering), e‑payment and digital finance law, IP and IT law (including data protection, trademarks, online content), commercial and tax law, commercial offences and compliance, cross‑border market entry for online gaming operators, and M&A advisory in digital gaming services. It also advises governments on legislative reform; for instance, the firm was commissioned by the EU Commission to modernise the gaming legislation of an Eastern European country.
Industry Recognition
Dr. Wulf Hambach has been listed every year since 2008 by Chambers Global as a Gaming Law expert and was named “Lawyer of the Year” by World Online Gambling Law Report in 2008. He was also recognised as a “Most Highly Regarded Individual – Gaming and Gambling” by Who’s Who Legal from 2013 to 2019, placing him among the top five gaming lawyers globally. The firm co‑edits and contributes to the Beck legal commentary “Glücks- und Gewinnspielrecht in den Medien” (Gambling and Sweepstakes Law in the Media), further solidifying its thought leadership.
Network and Platform
Hambach & Hambach operates the industry portal GamingLaw.eu in partnership with firms in Amsterdam, Madrid and Rome. The firm is a corporate member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) and the International Association of Gaming Attorneys (IAGA). Dr. Wulf Hambach serves on the European Advisory Committee and Board of Trustees of IAGA, and is a board member of the German Association for Telecommunications and Media (DVTM).
Current Activity
The firm actively participates in major industry events such as ICE Barcelona and the International Gaming Summit. Its team regularly publishes TIME Law News and contributes to leading industry publications like iGaming Business and EGR Briefing. Through these activities, Hambach & Hambach continues to shape regulatory discourse and advise high‑profile clients in the TIME industries.
Key Products
Legal Advisory – TIME Industries
Corporate law consultancy for telecommunication, internet, media and entertainment companies, including regulatory affairs, licensing, compliance, M&A, and IP/IT law.
Gaming & Gambling Law
Specialised counsel for online gaming operators, payment providers, and investors; expertise in German and European gambling regulation, the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag), and market entry.
Strategic Consultancy
Board‑level advisory on e‑commerce (e‑gaming, e‑payment), business strategy, and regulatory risk management.
GamingLaw.eu
Pan‑European industry information portal co‑founded and operated by Hambach & Hambach, providing news, analysis, and legal insights on gaming and gambling law.
Glücks- und Gewinnspielrecht in den Medien
Leading German legal commentary on gambling and sweepstakes law, co‑published and co‑authored by Dr. Wulf Hambach.
TIME Law News
Periodic newsletter covering key developments in German and international law for the TIME industries.
Key Persons
- Dr. Wulf Hambach
Founding Partner & Head of Regulatory
Claus HambachFounding and Managing Partner