German Gambling Law – Update 2024

Since our last update, significant developments have occurred in the German gambling landscape, further shaping the regulatory environment. While some progress has been made, many legal questions and regulatory challenges remain unresolved, particularly in the areas of licensing, enforcement, and cross-border operations.

I. Expansion of GGL's Powers and Responsibilities

The joint German gambling supervisory authority, "Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder" (GGL) continues to assert its authority, aiming to standardize and streamline the regulatory framework for online gambling across all German Federal States. Since January 2024, the GGL has enhanced its focus on enforcement, employing a broader range of measures including stricter compliance checks, prohibition orders and improved collaboration with licensed operators regarding payment service providers in order to monitor transactions. Its capacity to initiate criminal investigations and enforce