German Regulator GGL Issues Stark Warning on Youth Risks from Illegal Gambling

• Germany’s federal gambling regulator, the GGL, has issued a stark public warning about the dangers of the illegal gambling market, highlighting the specific risks it poses to young people.
• The GGL stressed that unlicensed black market sites offer no player protection mechanisms, in direct contrast to the strict safeguards mandated for legal operators in Germany.
• “ Who plays illegally, plays without protection,” said GGL board member Ronald Benter, highlighting the complete absence of deposit limits or self-exclusion tools on illegal sites.
• The warning comes as the GGL continues its aggressive enforcement campaign against the black market, having initiated 231 prohibition procedures against illegal operators in 2024.
• The regulator estimates the illegal gambling market for high-risk online products like slots and sports betting is still worth up to €600 million in annual revenue in Germany.

‘Who Plays Illegally, Plays Without Protection’

Wolverhampton, UK - 30th September 2025 - Germany’s national gambling regulator, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), has sounded the alarm over the serious dangers posed by illegal online gambling platforms, warning that young people are particularly vulnerable to addiction and harm from these unregulated operators.

In a direct and powerful message to consumers, GGL Executive Board Member Ronald Benter stated, “ Illegal platforms offer no effective player protection mechanisms. Whoever plays there runs a considerable risk of developing a gambling addiction. Who plays illegally, plays without protection.” The warning is a key part of the regulator’s public education campaign to drive players towards the legal, licensed market.

The Two German Gambling Markets: Regulated vs. Illegal

The GGL’s statement draws a sharp contrast between the two parallel gambling markets operating in Germany.

The legal, licensed market is governed by the strict rules of the 2021 Interstate Gambling Treaty. All legal operators are required by law to implement robust player protection measures, including mandatory monthly deposit limits, access to the OASIS national self-exclusion system, and tools like a 24-hour “panic button.”

In contrast, the illegal gambling black market deliberately bypasses all these safeguards. These platforms operate without any restrictions, leaving vulnerable players, and particularly young players, completely exposed to the risks of developing gambling-related harm.

A Three-Pronged Enforcement Strategy

The GGL has outlined its three-pronged strategy to combat the black market and uphold its core mission of preventing gambling addiction. This strategy rests on:

1. Education about the risks of illegal gambling and the available protection tools.
2. Combating illegal offers through direct enforcement action.
3. Controlling legal providers to ensure all player protection requirements are being met.

The regulator’s enforcement actions are having an impact. In 2024, the GGL initiated 231 prohibition procedures against illegal operators and their advertising, which resulted in 188 providers withdrawing their services from the German gambling market.

The Scale of the Challenge

Despite these efforts, the scale of the black market remains a major concern. The GGL estimates that there are still over 200 providers running more than 850 illegal German-language websites, with combined annual revenues of between €500 and €600 million. This represents around 25% of the market for high-risk online products like sports betting and slots. The GGL has pledged to continue making its fight against the illegal gambling market a top priority.