GGL with a positive review of 2024: what was, what remains, what is to come?

As Germany's central gambling regulatory body, the GGL had a lot to do last year. It was therefore a regular topic in our reporting. Whether as an executive force against illicit activities on the local market, a warning voice for more conscious gambling - or even criticized by industry representatives and players: a lot has happened. The authority has now published a review for 2024 - and it is quite positive. However, some shortcomings must be acknowledged.

You could almost call it a "love-hate relationship": The relationship between the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL), players and the industry has had its ups and downs. In spring 2024, for example, the German Online Casino Association openly criticized the GGL and regulation in Germany.

• The authority is the main body that attempts to steer the gambling market in an orderly direction. The industry sees it as the chief regulator, while players know it primarily as a point of contact for information, complaints or help with addiction problems. For example, the gambling supervisory authority issued a warning just before Christmas that the festive season can have an impact on gambling behavior.
• And as in any relationship, there is plenty of criticism here too. Too many regulations, too little flexibility - the feedback often sounds something like this. But one thing is clear: the GGL is well aware of its important role in Germany's gambling structure and takes it seriously. It sets standards and limits, yes - but it is also learning.

The annual review 2024, which the authority recently published in the news section of its website, was therefore eagerly awaited. And what can we say? It was a year full of events, landmark decisions and controversial discussions.

GGL board member Ronald Benter describes it as follows: "2024 presented us with a variety of challenges, but we were able to show that we have the structures and expertise to actively shape them."

"Further development" is one of the buzzwords that keeps coming up. The GGL wants to show that it has learned and is ready to take the reins - be it in the fight against illegal gambling or in creating fair market conditions. But looking ahead is also exciting. From the players' point of view, the key question is of course: will something finally change in 2025 with regard to the sometimes lame offering from licensed providers? Or will everything stay the same? The GGL is clearly determined to continue to take action and shape the market - it remains to be seen how this will happen and how successful it will ultimately be.

What was going on at the GGL in 2024: focus on the fight against illegal gambling and the creation of fair market conditions

The GGL had its hands full in 2024 - and that's putting it mildly. With a packed catalog of measures, it went after illegal providers. At the same time, attempts were made to create fairer market conditions for legal operators and more transparency for players. However, not everything went smoothly - and a number of issues remain.

Measures against illegal gambling: payment blocking, geo-blocking and Google rules

in 2024, the GGL showed its teeth - and quite successfully in certain areas.

1. The authority particularly highlights the progress made in payment blocking: In close cooperation with payment service providers, money flows to illegal platforms were massively restricted. There were legal consequences for those who did not want to cooperate. In October, the Halle Administrative Court ruled in favor of GGL in the case of a Swiss payment service provider - a real precedent.
2. The authorities have also stepped up their game when it comes to geo-blocking: Thanks to the Digital Services Act (DSA), illegal gambling offers were specifically pushed out of the German network.
3. A real coup in the area of advertising is also being addressed: Google changed its guidelines under pressure from the GGL. Since 25 September , only providers with a German license have been allowed to advertise via Google Ads. This has noticeably reduced the presence of illegal platforms. As we also reported recently, GGL is satisfied with Google's new gambling advertising guidelines. The effects are particularly noticeable on comparison sites, which often serve as gateways for the black market.

Also interesting: GGL is allowed to prohibit foreign streamers from advertising gambling that is illegal in Germany.

Public warnings, amateur soccer betting and transparency for players

The GGL used public warnings for the first time in 2024. One prominent case was Interwetten: The bookie violated specific technical guidelines - as did several others. In doing so, the authority sent an unmistakable signal: even minor breaches of the rules will not be swept under the carpet, but made public.

The topic of sports betting in amateur soccer was also in the spotlight. The public debate was boiling here, primarily due to the potential risks for manipulation and player protection. The GGL reacted quickly and published detailed FAQs on its website to inform players, clubs and providers. In addition, legal operators were instructed to ensure that their amateur sports betting programs are not accessible via foreign domains and that technical measures such as VPN blocks are effective. At Interwetten, bets on German amateur football matches were removed from the portfolio altogether.

Difficult terrain: the black market and the evaluation of the GlüStV

The black market remains a real construction site. Particularly problematic: the GGL estimates the proportion of illegal offers to be significantly lower than the industry. This became clear again in November at the Gaming in Germany conference, where the industry voiced harsh criticism of the "standstill" in the German gaming market. The fight against unauthorized sites is likely to remain one of the biggest challenges for some time to come. In order to objectify the discussion, the authority launched a scientific study in 2024. The results should provide more clarity in 2025.

Another major topic was the evaluation of the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV). GGL actively contributed to the process and identified the need for action, such as the expansion of supervisory powers or the betting of IP blocking against international players. However, there is clearly still a lot to be done here. The interim report on the evaluation of the GlüStV, which was published in summer 2024, does point to changes. However, these are not yet very tangible - at least from a player perspective.

Looking ahead: challenges in 2025 and a vague outlook

The GGL already has its to-do list for 2025 ready in the 2024 annual review - but many points remain vague. The fight against the black market will continue, although the results of an ongoing study on the market share of illegal providers are not expected until the end of the year.

The GGL is optimistic overall, but only mentions vague plans: more international networking, greater digitalization and a "fact-based discussion" on regulation. What is missing are concrete approaches to make the offering more attractive for players and the regulated market more competitive.

Source of the image: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hand-thumb-review-quality-high-5176083/

Central text source: https://gluecksspiel-behoerde.de/de/news/405-regulierung-online-gluecksspielmarkt-rueckblick-2024-auf-erfolge-und-herausforderungen