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.
A European summit to rethink gambling regulation
In Halle, in the heart of Germany, the austere walls of a conference centre recently played host to a crucial discussion on the future of gambling in Europe. For two days, gambling regulators from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein debated a common challenge: how to make gambling safer, more transparent and more accountable.
Under the impetus of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Germany’s federal gambling regulator, this annual meeting took on a new dimension. The aim? To consolidate cross-border cooperation in the face of a constantly changing digital market, where national borders no longer have any real meaning for online operators.
The fight against illegal gambling, a shared emergency
The proliferation of illegal gambling remains the scourge of the sector. The participants were unanimous in their observation that unlicensed operators are flouting national laws and exploiting technological loopholes to target European consumers.
Discussions focused on the technical tools for combating the problem: IP blocking, payment restrictions and shared databases. The idea of a European mutual surveillance system was even raised. For the LMG, cooperation is the key.
Reassessing the German legal framework
One of the most closely watched issues was the review of the German State Treaty on Gambling, which established a legal framework for online gambling in Germany. Three years after it came into force, the authorities are questioning its effectiveness.
The debates have revealed differences in interpretation between German-speaking countries: how do you define a licensed platform? What room for manoeuvre is there for virtual casinos or sports betting? And above all, how can these rules be harmonised at European level?
The Swiss representatives stressed the need to align technical control tools, while the Austrians argued for a common approach to criminal sanctions and the fight against money laundering.
Loot boxes, the new frontier of gaming law
One of the most heated debates at the conference concerned the famous loot boxes, the virtual chests found in many video games, where the user pays to obtain an item at random.
Should they be seen as a form of gambling? For some, like the German regulators, the link is obvious: chance, payment and reward. For others, such as Switzerland, the line remains blurred, as long as no real gain is at stake.
The participants agreed that the digitalisation of leisure activities is blurring the traditional boundaries of gambling law. An update of legal definitions now seems inevitable to provide a framework for this growing phenomenon among young people.
Protecting the integrity of sport in the face of illegal betting
Sport, too, is not immune to abuse. The rise in illegal betting in amateur and semi-professional leagues is alarming the authorities. These practices can distort competitions and encourage money laundering.
In Halle, the regulators discussed technical solutions, such as stepping up identity checks on punters, sharing data with sports federations and monitoring suspicious financial flows.
Fighting addiction
While the crackdown on illegal gambling is a major part of the debate, addiction prevention remains at the heart of the responsible gambling policy supported by the LMG.
The regulators have emphasised the importance of damage markers, behavioural indicators that identify the early signs of addiction: frequency of play, amounts wagered, or sudden changes in habits.
The DACHL authorities agree that technology can also become an aid tool. Licensed operators are being encouraged to use algorithms to identify risky behaviour and intervene quickly.
Enhanced international cooperation
Building on this success, the GGL has announced its intention to step up exchanges with its European counterparts. New joint training programmes and a real-time information-sharing system are currently being designed.
The next major European responsible gambling conference will be held in 2026, at the initiative of the GGL, and will bring together authorities from across the continent. It will focus on digital supervision and the social responsibility of operators.
The Halle meeting marks a turning point for gambling regulation in Europe. The debates highlighted a common desire to go beyond administrative borders to effectively protect citizens.