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“The successes show that consistent measures and close cooperation with partners are crucial to curbing the illegal market,” stated Board Member Ronald Benter.
Key points:
– GGL implemented a number of measures against illegal operators in 2024, including payment blocking and advertising restrictions
– The regulator introduced a public warnings system and expanded educational resources for players
– GGL has referenced plans for enhanced international cooperation and digitisation initiatives for 2025
The German gambling regulator (GGL) has released its annual review, highlighting progress in market regulation while acknowledging ongoing challenges in the fight against illegal gambling operations.
The GGL implemented several key initiatives in 2024 to combat unauthorised gambling activities. Notable achievements included successful payment-blocking measures, enhanced geo-blocking capabilities based on the Digital Services Act and a partnership with Google to restrict gambling advertising to licensed operators only.
The regulator also demonstrated engagement in public policy discussions, particularly regarding Criminal Code reform and amateur sports betting concerns.
In addressing market integrity, the GGL collaborated with payment service providers to restrict transactions with illegal operators, supported by favourable court decisions such as the ruling against a Swiss payment service provider by the Halle Administrative Court in October 2024.
Good to know: October 2024 marked the introduction of public warnings as a new supervisory tool, designed to create transparency around violations by licensed operators
The authority also expanded its educational efforts by launching an FAQ section on its website, providing information about illegal gambling, licensing requirements and player protection measures.
Challenges persist, however, particularly concerning the black market. While GGL estimates illegal online gambling activities to be lower than industry claims, it has initiated studies to provide reliable data on market dynamics, with findings expected by late 2025.
Looking ahead to 2025, the GGL plans to focus on international cooperation and digital process optimisation.
The regulator is also awaiting results from commissioned studies on player protection, advertising and market channelling – expected to contribute to the ongoing evaluation of the State Treaty on Gambling 2021.
