GGL publishes FAQ on LUGAS

About two weeks ago, the Joint Gaming Authority of the German States (GGL) published an FAQ on the Inter-State Gambling Supervision System (LUGAS). In this PDF document, the authority also provides information on topics such as the cross-provider deposit limit and parallel gaming. We took a look at the FAQ and wanted to find out how helpful the questions and answers are for the average player.

In a press release dated 24 October 2023, the German Gaming Authority (GGL), based in Halle, Germany, announced the publication of an FAQ on the transnational gaming monitoring system LUGAS. The FAQ can be downloaded free of charge as a PDF document from the GGL Media Centre under "Downloads for Players".

What is LUGAS anyway?

Before we get into the FAQ section, let's first answer the question of what LUGAS actually is. As mentioned above, it is the German interstate gaming monitoring system. Basically, it is nothing more than a technical monitoring system that online gambling providers with a German licence must connect to. The main purpose of the system is to protect players from the dangers of gambling.

How helpful is the gambling authority's FAQ?

The PDF document, which can be accessed directly online here, contains 14 questions and their answers. Questions such as "What is my limit?" or "Can the authorities change my limit?" are answered here. The questions are carefully worded so that the average player can answer most of them.

For example, the limit is requested or set by the player when registering or in the course of further activities. Of course, the gaming authority cannot change the limit.

An interesting question is how long it takes to change a limit. The answer is that a reduction in the limit takes effect immediately. However, a fixed increase in the cross-provider deposit limit will only take effect after a period of one week.

Who decides on an increased limit?

This was also an interesting question for us. As mentioned above, an increased limit of €10,000 per month may be granted from September 2023, subject to proof of income.

Question 6 of the FAQ states "What can I do if the operator does not grant me an increased limit?" In its answer, the Gaming Board states that only the gaming operators can increase the cross-provider limit. It even explicitly states that no proof of creditworthiness, such as bank statements or identity documents, should be sent to the Gaming Board. The GGL itself therefore has no means of enforcing higher limits with the operators.

In practice, this means that a single provider can permanently increase a player's multi-provider deposit limit to up to €10,000 per month. The player will need to provide the necessary proof of creditworthiness exclusively to the relevant operator.

GGL also answers the following questions in the FAQ:

• Why can I no longer deposit this month?
• When is the limit reset?
• Why do failed deposits count?

What information does the authority need in the event of a problem?

In order for the gaming authority to be able to help the player in the event of a problem, in addition to the name of the online casino, the so-called Player ID is required. This is sometimes referred to as the LUGAS ID and can be found in the player's personal account. On 2 November 2023, GGL announced that there is now a new contact form on the online platform. This can be accessed online here.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/faq-antworten-hilfe-fragen-3408300/