GGL Collaborates with State Offices to Combat Gambling Addiction

The German Gambling Authority (GGL), Glücksspielbehörde, has started a new plan to improve its teamwork with state offices that focus on gambling addiction. This plan aims to boost communication and collaboration among the different state authorities responsible for preventing gambling addiction and providing support services.

GGL Initiates Collaboration with Bavaria’s Gambling Addiction Office to Combat Addiction

The GGL took the first step in this plan on August 29, 2024. Ronald Benter, who chairs the GGL, met with Konrad Landgraf, who runs the State Office for Gambling Addiction in Bavaria (LSG). This meeting kicked off a deeper talk between the GGL and state offices. The German institutions want to share ideas about laws and ways to prevent addiction, while also learning about the unique problems each state faces.

At the meeting, Benter received a thorough breakdown of how the LSG operates in Bavaria. Landgraf stressed the LSG’s role in the state’s wider addiction support system highlighting their range of counseling options and the growing trend of using online platforms to provide therapy and support. He mentioned buwei.de as an example describing it as a key website that offers information about gambling addiction services throughout Germany making it an essential resource for people looking for help.

GGL and State Offices Gear Up for National Day Against Gambling Addiction with Key Insights

The talk also touched on getting ready for the yearly National Day Against Gambling Addiction set for September 25, 2024. State offices put together this event to boost awareness about gambling addiction risks and highlight help for those it affects.

Benter stressed how valuable these talks are saying that hearing from everyone involved gives the GGL a full picture of gambling addiction in Germany today. He pointed out that keeping players safe and informing the public are key goals for the GGL. By working with state offices, the authority can make its approach to gambling problems even better.

Moving forward, the GGL aims to keep up its work to build stronger connections with state offices. In October 2024, Benter has a visit planned to the State Office for Gambling Addiction in North Rhine-Westphalia. This trip will give the GGL another chance to gain insights from local experiences and to talk about ways to improve collaboration.

Also, a group meeting with people from all state offices for gambling addiction is set for the fall. This get-together will focus on trading success stories and look into new ideas to boost help for those dealing with gambling addiction.

As part of its ongoing work, the GGL also plans to give a full review of gambling in Germany to the Bundestag in 2026. This review will check how gambling regulations from 2021 have affected the German gambling industry and will suggest new federal protections in regard to gambling ads. The aim is to make sure Germany’s rules keep up with changes in gambling and still put public health and safety first.