Germany’s online casino trade association, Deutscher Online Casinoverband (DOCV), is calling for a more urgent review of casino and gambling regulation.
The entity warned that the market for illegal betting, that is, unlicensed, is larger than that disclosed by the GGL, the federal regulatory body for betting games.
German betting market analysis
The latest report from GGL (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde Der Länder) in June suggests that the illegal market was worth €600 million and represented just 4% of gambling in Germany.
However, DOCV believes the actual size of the unregulated sector is larger. The entity believes that the number was distorted through comparison with the entire market across all channels.
The DOCV notes that a study by the University of Leipzig, commissioned with the Deutscher Sportwettenverband (DSWV), found that:
- 50.7% of players bet in the regulated online sector
- 49.3% through non-EU licensed providers or offshore sites
The entity is preparing to release figures on plumbing rates in the market next month. Thus, the information base will be data from Entain and audience data specialist Nielsen.
GGL announced a comprehensive market assessment. However, its completion is scheduled for 2026, and past experience suggests that this date may be delayed.
The regulatory body stated that the main focus will be on analyzing the role of the regulated market in society, as well as the impact of advertising.
