Key Moments:
- Ronald Benter, GGL executive board member, emphasized in a 22 September 2026 interview that regulatory changes occur too slowly to counter illegal online gambling.
- Authorities in Frankfurt recently investigated a case involving alleged illegal online gambling operations, with around €5.86 billion processed since July 2021.
- The GGL has urged lawmakers to strengthen criminal law measures against illegal gambling initiatives, especially those targeting German users from abroad.
Regulatory Challenges in Combating Illegal Gambling
The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Germany’s joint gambling regulator, has highlighted the need for swifter decision-making to respond effectively to illegal online gambling. In an interview published on 22 September 2026, Ronald Benter, executive board member of the GGL, pointed to the limitations imposed by the current Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021).
Benter explained that adapting regulations to match the evolving illegal market is a lengthy process. He stated to Mitteldeutsche Zeitung, ‘The illegal market is very dynamic. That is why we, as an authority, have to become faster, too.’ Detailed treaty provisions mean that even when both the GGL and federal states agree on changes, implementing amendments can take several years.
Need for More Autonomy
According to Benter, the GGL requires more autonomy in making decisions to keep pace with market developments. He advocated for the authority to act more quickly and decisively, with oversight from its administrative board (Verwaltungsrat), which includes representatives of the federal states. Since 1 July 2026, Christian Hochgrebe, Berlin’s state secretary for the interior, has chaired this board.
Benter said, ‘Ultimately, we have the expertise and should therefore also be able to react faster to developments and decide on new measures.’
Addressing Cross-Border Illegal Gambling
The GGL has expressed a desire for stronger legal tools, including enabling prosecutors to initiate criminal cases against individuals offering illegal gambling to German players from outside the country. Up to now, such prosecutions have been rare, but the authority expects that future cases could serve as a deterrent.
Recent Enforcement Actions in Frankfurt
On 9 September, police in Frankfurt searched 11 properties in the Rhine-Main region, primarily in Frankfurt itself. More than 100 officers participated, leading to the arrest of a main suspect under a warrant and the identification of five individuals suspected of facilitating unlicensed online gambling since at least July 2021. Prosecutors allege these activities were conducted on a commercial and organized basis.
| Timeframe | Amount Processed | Suspected 2024 Tax Loss | Assets Secured |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2021 – End of 2023 | €5.86 billion | €77.6 million | €82 million |
The GGL responded positively to these developments in a statement on 17 September, explaining that it collaborates closely with prosecutors and shares intelligence from efforts such as payment blocking, network blocking, and advertising controls. The authority continues to advocate for legislative focus on criminal law as a means to better tackle illegal gambling.
- Author
