As regulation of online gambling intensifies across Europe, new data from the GGL suggests that the illegal market remains more limited than some stakeholders fear.
Seeing an advert and starting to gamble straight away. For many people, it ends there, but for vulnerable gamblers, that moment can be decisive. A major German study involving nearly 4,800 gamblers shows that gambling adverts primarily influence people who are already at risk.
Long perceived as a market constrained by strict regulations, the German online gambling ecosystem is currently undergoing a quiet transformation. Behind some of the most demanding rules in Europe, growth is very real.
In Germany, black market casinos and betting operators continue to reach millions of Internet users through online advertising. Behind the façade of regulation, a well-oiled system is allowing the black market to prosper, in plain sight.
The fight against illegal online gambling in Germany has become one of the main challenges facing the gambling industry. Faced with an underground market that continues to thrive despite strict regulation, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) is stepping up its calls for action and urging legal players to step up their involvement.
On 19 January 2026, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) officially welcomed Tipico, one of Germany’s leading sports betting and online gaming operators, to its network of members.
A German player has been awarded a refund for most of his losses after sports betting operator Bet3000 allowed deposits well above the legal limit.
A German court has just drawn a clear legal line in the online casino sector, classifying a refund request accompanied by public threats as an attempt at extortion. The case was analysed by Michael Schmitt of Malta Media.
Germany is seriously considering tightening the rules regarding online slots. There is growing criticism of the current policy. Politicians feel it does not do enough to protect people from addiction.
Meeting in Halle under the aegis of the GGL, regulators from German-speaking Europe are joining forces to regulate online gambling and promote a common model for responsible gambling.
German online betting group Bet-at-home is going through a period of turbulence. With revenues stagnating in the first half of 2025, the company is warning of the growing burden of regulation in Germany and Austria.
On 11 November 2025, Berlin will become the rallying point for major players in iGaming: regulators, lawyers, operators and experts will gather at the Gaming in Germany Conference to discuss the regulatory framework for online gambling in Germany and the challenges posed by the black market.
In Germany, the regulation of online sports betting is struggling to establish itself. A recent survey reveals that the vast majority of active sites targeting German players operate without an official licence.
In Germany, betting on political, social or international events, such as elections or the outcome of conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, is becoming increasingly popular. However, these bets, often offered on platforms such as Polymarket, are considered illegal under German law.
The future of hundreds of disputes relating to gambling losses in Germany remains uncertain. On 5 September, an opinion delivered by the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) recognised the validity of certain actions against online gambling operators, but did not settle the central question: the compatibility of the German gambling treaty with EU law.
The online casino industry in Germany is undergoing a major transformation, shaped by strict regulation and the rapid adoption of new technologies. Mark Seibert, founder and editor-in-chief of OnlineCasinosDeutschland.com, offers an informed perspective on current trends and future developments in this dynamic sector.
In July 2021, when Germany opened its online gaming market via the Gaming Treaty (GlüNeuRStV), a protection mechanism was launched: OASIS, the national self-exclusion system. Today, this mechanism is proving to be a tangible success.
