Key Moments:
- The German Green Party has revealed plans for a mandatory identification card for all gambling participants and stricter advertising rules.
- The proposal seeks to extend the monthly €1,000 deposit cap from online gambling to all forms, including betting shops and casinos.
- Additional measures target loot boxes in video games, aiming to ban them for minors and close existing loopholes in player protection.
Proposed Gambling Identification Card and Deposit Limits
The German Green Party has presented a comprehensive initiative aimed at overhauling gambling regulations nationwide. Central to this strategy is a requirement for a player-specific ID card, to be used in all forms of gambling, both online and offline. This card would enable consistent monitoring of player wagers across different platforms, thereby preventing individuals from circumventing deposit caps by switching providers. The Greens also advocate for a universal monthly deposit limit, extending the existing €1,000 cap for online gambling to physical betting outlets, slot halls, and casinos—areas currently not governed by the same restriction.
Clampdown on Advertising and Loot Boxes
Another aspect of the Greens’ proposal involves stricter rules around gambling advertising. Specifically, they want to prohibit personalized advertising based on behavioral data or risk profiles. In parallel, the party is calling for increased regulation on loot boxes within video games—a feature that offers players randomized in-game rewards in a manner reminiscent of gambling. The Greens have described loot boxes as a form of gambling and have called for them to be banned for minors, referencing regulations in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Strengthening Self-Exclusion and Player Protections
As part of their 2024 policy, the Greens support expanding the “Oasis” self-exclusion system, intended to allow individuals to ban themselves from licensed gambling operators. However, the party has highlighted shortcomings in its current implementation, such as the low prevalence of third-party exclusions. They recommend that early termination of self-exclusion bans—before one year—should only be permitted with proof of addiction counseling. Simon Rock, a Green MP who co-authored the initiative, stated: “It’s not about banning things. It’s about effectively preventing people from being driven into ruin”.
Addressing Illegal Gambling Activities
The initiative also tackles unlicensed betting, signaling concerns regarding the persistence of illegal online wagers on amateur sports, often beyond regulatory oversight. Recent enforcement actions in Hesse, where police raided 65 venues and identified nearly 400 individuals involved in unauthorized gambling, underline the scope of the issue. Cross-party concerns have surfaced—CDU lawmaker Dirk Herber recently called for improved coordination between police, tax offices, and regulators after submitting an inquiry on illegal gambling and its ties to organized crime.
Outlook for Reform
Germany’s State Treaty on Gambling, last updated in 2021, sought to unify oversight of sports betting and online slots, but challenges remain regarding illegal operators and the adequacy of addiction prevention. The Greens maintain that the scheduled revision of gambling legislation provides an opportunity to further bolster consumer and youth protection: “With our joint position, we are committed to effective player protection, especially for young people and vulnerable groups”, Rock told the Rheinische Post.
Summary Table of Key Proposals
| Proposal | Description |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Gambling ID Card | Required for all forms of gambling to monitor wagers and enforce deposit limits. |
| Universal Monthly Deposit Cap | Extend existing €1,000 limit from online gambling to physical venues. |
| Restrictions on Advertising | Ban on ads personalized using behavioral or risk profile data. |
| Loot Box Regulation | Ban loot boxes for minors and treat them as gambling mechanisms. |
| Expanded Self-Exclusion | Tighten requirements for lifting bans and improve third-party exclusion uptake. |
| Combating Illegal Operators | Strengthen monitoring and enforcement to address unauthorized gambling activities. |
- Author
Daniel Williams
