German regulator heralds market a “success story” ahead of two-year review
Watchdog praises its own impact on country’s gambling landscape while addressing black market activity
The German gambling regulator, GGL, has insisted its role in developing the regulated market since it was launched three years ago was a “success story”, despite past criticism from industry trade bodies.
At a conference in Berlin, GGL board member Ronald Benter talked up the body’s impact since the German market became regulated following the implementation of the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling.
Benter also presented data showing stable growth within the country’s legal market, while asserting that the GGL was an “instrument” to maintain sustainable regulation and protect players.
“With its approach to granting licences and supervision, the GGL ensures equal and fair competitive conditions among all permitted providers and protects players,” he told attendees to the Gaming in Germany conference on 5 November.
“A sustainably regulated, stable market with reliable framework conditions corresponds to our idea of the implementation of Section 1 of the State Treaty on Gambling.”
Benter’s speech came amid plans by the GGL for a two-year evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the 2021 State Treaty.
The assessment, according to the board member, will determine whether the current system is “sustainable” in the long term.
Benter later explained how data would influence the GGL’s decisions on the effectiveness of player protection measures and the impact of gambling advertising.
The black market remains a prominent topic in Germany’s gambling sector, with the regulator claiming that illegal accounts made up fewer than 10% of the entire market. However, that figure has proved to be contentious.
In February 2023, a study by the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) found that 65% of German customers were engaging in black market gambling.
The DSWV also argued the amount of money staked within the regulated market plunged 13% year on year.
The GGL swiftly disputed the figures on the grounds they did not correspond with its own findings, which reported that the channelisation rate was more than 95%.
In an attempt to gain a more accurate insight into Germany’s channelisation rate, Benter disclosed the GGL’s own methods of analysing black market activity were being scientifically evaluated.