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Germany’s Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) has marked its fifth anniversary by calling for regulation that can adapt more quickly to a fast‑moving online gambling market.
Since its launch in 2021, the authority has grown into a nationwide body with around 100 employees overseeing 129 licensed operators and 229 gambling sites.
Board member Ronald Benter reflected on the progress: “Five years ago, there was a political mandate. Today there is a working authority that operates throughout Germany.” He noted that the GGL now has the expertise and technical capacity to supervise a highly digital and international market, but stressed that laws must evolve faster to match the pace of new business models and illicit activity.
Over 1,800 illegal websites blocked over five years
Over the past five years, the GGL has expanded its enforcement against illegal gambling. Prohibition proceedings rose from 68 in 2022 to 287 in 2025, while more than 6,300 websites were checked for unlawful offers or advertising.
By the end of last year, 1,843 illegal sites were blocked from German access, and 178 were cut off from payment channels. Enforcement also reached major platforms, with Google Ads restricted to licensed providers since September 2024.
Alongside this, the authority carried out over 600 supervisory procedures in 2025, revoking two permits for serious breaches.
The regulator has built a central system, LUGAS, to monitor player protection and market activity. By late 2025, 5.3 million registered players were recorded in its files, giving GGL a stronger base for oversight.
A recent study showed that 77% of the online gambling market is now regulated, though the remaining share of unlicensed activity remains a challenge.
“We are supervising a market whose business models and technical structures are sometimes changing faster than traditional administrative processes. Good regulation today requires legal expertise, data literacy and technical understanding in equal measure,” Benter explained.
GGL push for flexible rules
The ongoing review of the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling is seen by GGL as a chance to make rules more flexible.
“A market that is changing rapidly technologically and economically needs supervision that can react promptly to new developments,” Benter said.
He argued that the evaluation should not only check existing rules but also consider how regulation can become faster and more adaptable. Earlier this year, the regulator also approved a higher €5 stake limit for online slots, showing how adjustments are already being made to reflect market realities.
The authority wants more technical room for manoeuvre to respond quickly, reduce administrative burdens and strengthen player protection.
