German health body calls for 9pm gambling advertisement watershed

A German health body has called for a watershed on gambling advertising in the country to support those at risk from gambling-related harm.

Ahead of Germany’s Gambling Addiction Day on 28 September, the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) and the Federal government commissioner for addiction and drug issues have called for new preventative measures.

The BZgA estimates there are currently 229,000 problem gamblers in Germany, with a further 200,000 potential compulsive gamblers.

The body has called for a 9pm watershed on sports betting advertising across TV and the internet.

Burkhard Blienert, Federal government commissioner for addiction and drug issues, said: “Advertising for online gambling and sports betting is spreading at breakneck speed.

“This trend is concerning because hundreds of thousands of people already have problem gambling or are even addicted. I urge countries to stop advertising such offers. In plain language, there should be no more sports betting advertising before 9pm on TV or on the internet.”

Martin Dietrich, BZgA acting director, commented: “There is a particularly high risk of addiction stemming from gambling offers on the internet: they are available at all times and lure people with high winnings.

“That is why it is so important to raise awareness of the risks of gambling and to take countermeasures in good time. We support this with our offers, for example an online programme that supports changes in gambling behaviour.”

Online sports betting has been legal in Germany since the market re-regulated on 1 July 2021.