German Regulator Cranks Up Fight Against Illegal Gambling

At the recent igaming industry ICE Barcelona event, the German gaming regulating body was the main attraction, hoping to persuade legitimate operators to join the battle against criminal operators in Germany.

The occasion served as a forum for networking and international exchange by the Länder' Joint Gambling Authority.

The Battle Against the Black Market in Germany

The largest business-to-business gathering in the world of gaming, particularly igaming, is ICE Barcelona. With 600 exhibitors and approximately 65,000 people from more than 180 countries, it took place at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via from January 19–21. When it comes to industry networking, it's the best place to locate partners, close transactions, and keep up with new product and technology releases.

During the show, GGL Department Head Nadja Wierzejewski presented the "Gaming in Germany Breakfast" event, where she described the German Gaming Authority's (GGL) approach to combating the illicit internet market. According to Wierzejewski, the goal is to create a coordinated set of policies aimed at applying the greatest amount of pressure possible to Germany's illegal market.

Many People Use Illegal Gambling Websites

According to Philip Conneller of Casino.org, GGL's 2024 activity report places the size of the German internet black market at 25%.This indicates that about 25% of German gamers use unregulated websites.

Given that engaging in illegal gambling is banned in Germany, that is a noteworthy percentage.According to some assessments, the black market in Germany is far bigger than 25%.

Prohibition orders, IP and payment blocking, and actions against advertising for illicit gaming are also part of the GGL measures. Additionally, the regulator made it a point to request that licensed operators increase their awareness of illicit operators and use their industry connections and market expertise to assist GGL in putting pressure on illicit services.

Wierzejewski made the following point: By working jointly to combat illicit gaming operators, the GGL and legally licensed operators are supporting the development of a stable, secure, and long-lasting gambling market in Germany.