Since 01.01.23: GGL is regulating the German gambling market

On the 1st. January 2023 the regions handed over the responsibility of the newly established Gambling Authority for the nationwide gambling market. Since the New Year, the GGL, the Gambling Authority responsible for all regions is responsible for the effective regulation of the online gambling market. But what preparations did the authority make and what will be the next step for the German Gambling market?

Just a few days ago, on GambleJoe we published a comprehensive yearly overview on the development of the German online gambling market. The newly established GGL, the Gambling Authority responsible for all regions, is mentioned several times in this overview. As it was originally planned, on the 1^st. January 2023, the regions hhanded over the responsibility for the regulation of the nationwide gambling market,to the GGL. Those responsible at the Gambling Authority feel well prepared and are looking forward to the new challenges.

GGL: “We are all set!”

It was in mid-December when the decision-making body of the regions responsible for nationwide decisions on gambling supervision met for the last time. On that day the GGL was symbolically handed files by the gambling decision-making body. This emphasized the authority’s new responsibility. The GGL-Chairman, Benjamin Schwanke feels well prepared for his new duties and states in a press conference:

“We are all set. We have prepared all the relevant structures and processes so that on the 1st.January 2023 we can take over the regulation of the online gambling market in an effective way. We can build on the experience of the decision-making body for gambling and on the expertise in the regions, and we are very grateful for this." 

Regions have no responsibility anymore

During the transition phase the regions were each responsible for different areas of the gambling regulation. For example, Saxony Anhalt was responsible for virtual slot machines and online poker, Rhineland Palatinate was responsible for social lotteries and Hessen for sport races and horseraces. Hamburg was responsible for the class lottery and Lower Saxony for commercial transfers. Since January of this year, the Gambling Authority in Halle (Saale) is now responsible for all these areas. In February of last year, we had reported that the GGL website has finally gone online.

GGL takes over employees of the Regional administrative Department of Saxony-Anhalt (Landesverwaltungsamt Sachsen-Anhalt)

As the Gambling Authority has announced, 20 employees who were previously responsible for virtual slot machines and online poker at the Regional Administrative Department of Saxony-Anhalt (Landesverwaltungsamt Sachsen-Anhalt), have now changed over to GGL. Besides this, more employees will be engaged in the coming weeks and months.

The state secretary in the Ministry for Intern and Sport of the region Sachsen-Anhalt, Klaus Zimmermann, is very proud of what he describes as the smooth set-up of the Gambling Authority:

“In Saxony-Anhalt we have created the requirements to enable a successful start for GGL (…) Thanks to highly motivated employees it was possible to regulate the market in a short time and under high pressure. The GGL can be built on solid foundations. I thank the other regions for the trust which they have shown in Saxony-Anhalt.“

Conclusion

As from January 2023, all the branches are now incorporated in the Common Gambling Authority for all the Regions (GGL) which is based in Halle (Saale). The GGL is now responsible for issuing gambling licences for virtual slot machines, online poker, and sports betting. The future will show us whether the Authority is actually so well prepared for the challenges as the GGL Board is stating.

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/de/illustrations/frohes-neues-jahr-neujahr-2023-7687635/