The GGL (German Gambling Regulator) has released its annual report that highlights notable progress in market regulation, and at the same time, recognizes continuous challenges in the battle against illegal gambling operators and operations.
The GGL managed to implement several important initiatives in 2024 to fight unregulated gambling activities.
One of the more notable accomplishments includes enhanced geo-blocking capabilities from the Digital Services Act, the partnership with Google to restrict gambling advertising to licensed gambling operators only, and successful measures that target payment blocking.
Moreover, the German Gambling Regulator also showcased increased engagement in public policy discussions, especially concerning the Criminal Code reform and concerns regarding amateur sports betting.
To ensure market integrity, the GGL worked closely with payment providers in order to restrict transactions with illegal gambling operators, an initiative that was supported by approving court decisions.
One example of these favourable court decisions is the ruling by the Halle Administrative Court against a certain Swiss payment provider back in October of 2024.
Furthermore, the GGL also broadened its educational efforts by launching a dedicated FAQ section on its official website, consequently providing crucial information about licensing requirements, player protection information, and illegal gambling.
However, the GGL also recognized several persisting challenges, specifically regarding the black market.
Despite the estimates by the GGL that illegal online gambling activities are lower than ever, the regulator has started conducting studies to provide truthful data on market dynamics, with this report expected to be released somewhere in late 2025.
As for the upcoming 2025, the GGL revealed plans to focus on digital process optimization and international cooperation, while at the same time awaiting the results from commissioned studies regarding player protection, market channelling, and gambling advertising.
All of these measures are expected to greatly contribute to the current evaluation of the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling.
