COMPUTER BILD: Interview with GGL-bosses

A few days ago the well-known computer magazine COMPUTER BILD had a look behind the scenes of the Gambling Authority for all regions in Germany (GGL). They also carried out an interview with the two chairpersons Ronald Benter and Benjamin Schwanke.

Around a month ago we had reported that the GGL had launched an anonymous whistleblower portal . Anyone can make a quick report here about any possible infringements of the new State Gambling Act (GlüStV) and remain anonymous. The Gambling Authority which functions nationwide is still in its development phase. The COMPUTER BILD was however given permission to make a personal visit. 

COMPUTER BILD has a look behind the scenes of a new authority

COMPUTER BILD is a computer magazine of Axel Springer, and it has around 1.75 million readers. A short while ago, the magazine’s journalists were granted access to the authority’s premises which operates nationwide and is based in Halle an der Saale in an inconspicuous office building in Hansering.

In February we had reported in one of our articles that the website of the GGL is finally online. Much has gone on since then: new employees were engaged, managers were recruited and structures were introduced. However, the authority will be fully operational, and it will be able to regulate the gambling market across Germany as from the 1^st of January 2023. Then there will be a total of 104 employees working with the authority.

GGL bosses answer the questions of COMPUTER BILD

Replying to the question about the responsibilities of the GGL, Benjamin Schwanke, one of the Chairpersons of the authority, replies:

“We will work with the findings which the regions have made in the past years and months but could not follow up on. Besides this, we screen the gambling market regularly for new services and carry out the relevant provider lists. We compare these with the list of permitted gambling services, the so-called Whitelist. We also follow up on tip-offs from citizens.”

Which sanctions should illegal casinos expect?

COMPUTER BILD asked those responsible at the authority another interesting question, namely, how will the authority proceed when infringements are discovered In this regard, Schwanke issued the following statement:

“At first, we send a formal request to the provider to stop operations. Should this request not be heeded, the operator will receive a prohibition notice. We may make use of different enforcement possibilities which vary from a notification of an administrative offence to IP-Blocking and Payment Blocking.”

At the end of July of this year we had already raised the question in an article, whether the GGL will soon start blocking IPs. Besides this several weeks ago we had already reported that the GGL had started administrative procedures against Lottoland and Lottohelfen. 

His colleague and fellow-chairman Ronald Benter advised potential players to gamble only with licensed providers which hold a valid German licence. Just recently we had reported about the fact that nine licences have been issued for virtual slot machines .

When asked whether there is a need for the GGL and about the new regulations, the GGL Chairman Benter said:

“The requests for games of chance will never be on the decrease. But games of chance need regulations so that players do not become addicted and so that the players are protected against manipulation. Therefore games of chance are only legal when they are controlled and regulated by the state.”

Conclusion

COMPUTER BILD was permitted to visit the Gambling Authority for all regions in Germany (GGL) and get an impression of the work done. Besides this, the two Chairpersons of GGL answered the questions of the journalists. The authority which functions nationwide will be completely operational as from the beginning of 2023.

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/halle-halle-saale-marktplatz-2348421/