As the Champions League in soccer begins, the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) has highlighted that illegal gambling websites significantly outnumber licensed operators in Germany, putting players at risk of fraud, gambling addiction, and potential criminal liability. According to the regulator, only 1 of every 12 gambling websites is operating legally.
German Gambling Regulator Shows Worrying Statistics
The information was shared in relation to the DSWV and figures from the Joint Gambling Authority of the federal states (GGL). According to the DSWV and GGL, as the UEFA Champions League season approaches, there are currently 382 illegal gambling sites taking bets. This sharply contrasts with the 34 licensed operators that are tax-paying and subject to the country’s stringent regulations.
Mathias Dahms, president of the DSWV, emphasized that players in the legal sports betting market benefit from robust consumer protections, reliable payouts, and contributions to public tax revenue. In contrast, he noted, illegal operators in the black market operate without oversight, offer no safeguards, and pose a significantly higher risk of gambling addiction.
Engaging with unlicensed gambling platforms is a criminal offense under German law, potentially resulting in fines or even imprisonment for individuals found guilty of using such sites. Dahms maintains that the regulatory framework surrounding licensed operators provides the only safe and responsible environment for German bettors.
He also stressed the need for heightened caution among gamblers during major events like the Champions League, warning that many could unknowingly engage with illegal providers. To help combat this, Dahms underscored the importance of visibility for legal operators through perimeter advertising and TV spots during Champions League broadcasts.
What Is Being Done About the Issue?
While there are many illegal gambling websites in use, regulatory bodies have been in a continual struggle against them. Last month, for example, the DSWV issued a call for an emergency crackdown on illegal gambling in Germany.
Meanwhile, according to its latest annual report, the GGL initiated 231 enforcement actions in 2024 targeting illegal gambling operations and related advertising. The regulator reported that 188 unlicensed online gambling providers ceased offering their services in Germany over the course of the year. Payment blocking proved particularly effective, with 43 payment service providers responding promptly to the GGL’s interventions by halting transactions linked to these illegal platforms.
German regulators also manage a digital “whitelist” of officially licensed gambling operators, enabling users to verify whether a platform is legally authorized to operate within the country. Licensed operators are required to display their official documentation and permits through the Joint Gambling Authority of the German States’ platform. In addition to regulatory information, the platform serves as a central resource for research on the social, psychological, medical, legal, and economic aspects of gambling in Germany.