New German watchdog takes strict stance on regulation as mandate begins
The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder has approved 600 of the 3,500 licence applications submitted prior to its full launch
The new German gambling regulator, Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), has stated it will be quick to act on licence holders who violate its rules as it looks to create “a level playing field for all providers.”
The federal states of Germany officially transferred the state supervision and control of cross-state online gambling offers to the GGL on 1 January 2023.
However, the GGL has been responsible for combating illegal gambling since July 1 2022, six months prior to its inception.
Since taking on this responsibility, almost 150 complaints of illegal gambling advertising and a similar number of alleged illegal gambling counts have been submitted to the regulator.
During this period, the GGL has investigated 1,150 illegal gambling sites and started more than 60 prohibition proceedings and filed more than 30 criminal charges.
Its most high-profile ruling to this point came in October, when the GGL ordered three internet service providers to block Lottoland’s sites.
This was the second round of enforcement action, following an initial blocking order in July 2022.
GGL CEO Ronald Benter said: “We will revoke permits if we find serious violations. Our goal is a level playing field for all providers. We want to ensure that the business model of offering illegal or non-compliant gambling on the internet is not worthwhile in the long term.”
Benjamin Schwanke, board member of the GGL, added: “We will also proceed consistently when it comes to enforcement. Every provider who is not on the whitelist will be picked up, no matter how big it is.”
The regulator aims to set up a special prosecution office in Halle to handle enforcement action against illegal gambling providers.
The GGL, which is responsible for issuing new licences, has announced it has already approved 600 of the 3,500 applications it has received for online slots and poker. However, the regulator has noted that some applications submitted are not up to standard.
Benter said: “We have to conclude that not all of the gaming permits submitted are allowable. Often it fails due to the simplest of requirements, for example, if there are only English instructions for the game.
“In Germany we expect better coordination between the providers and studios,” he added.
The regulator also aims to increase transparency for players around what protection measures must be observed by suppliers, such as a panic button, and develop addiction prevention strategies with providers.