Germany’s Gambling Regulator Wants You to Play Safe – Not Illegally

Germany’s gambling regulator, the GGL, has faced repeated criticism about doing too little to stamp out illegal gambling. Now, the regulator has issued a public appeal to consumers at a time when the unregulated gambling market is exceeding the regulated one at a ratio of 11-to-1.

GGL Wants Consumers to Stay Safe by Making Them Understand Illegal Gambling Risks

The GGL has said, in a statement, that young people are at a particular risk when engaging with unregulated platforms, described as “illegal” by the regulator, and could bear stiff consequences, both personal and financial. The regulator led into a familiar mantra, highlighting the risks that individuals face when engaging with unregulated websites.

GGL executive board member Ronald Benter said: “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 GGL and Benter emphasized that only regulated gambling operators may provide the necessary consumer-focused protections under the Interstate Gambling Treaty of 2021, including access to the OASIS self-exclusion program.

However, at a time when the illegal gambling market is proliferating, and much of the gambling revenue is siphoned off to such operators, consumers cannot really rely on the national self-exclusion to protect them completely.

The regulator confirmed that it is looking to ensure that consumers are protected, and that gambling-related harm, and addiction in particular, are being addressed.

“Prevention of gambling addiction is an important part of the work of the GGL,” the watchdog said, adding that the regulator would now focus on educating players about the risks associated with illegal gambling and the particular dangers that they pose to consumers.

This latest address comes at an important time for the German market. Trade bodies such as the DSWV have repeatedly asked the GGL to address concerns about the offshore market and the poor channelization rate by making the local market more competitive.

Self-exclusion on the Rise, But Illegal Websites Do Not Comply

The GGL and the trade group have mostly been at odds over how to achieve this. At the same time, the number of self-excluded players in Germany has reached more than 350,000 people, citing data from OASIS, but this does not mean that these same players cannot actually access illegal gambling websites that pose a threat.

At the same time, Germany is still not sure if it can grant player refunds in cases involving gamblers who played at offshore websites and are now seeking their money back.