Germany Advances Efforts to Tackle the Black Market Challenge
Germany Gambling Authority (GGL) has announced that more changes are on the horizon. Stake limits for slot players are set to increase to €5 in an effort to tackle black market challenge. This adjustment signals a notable shift in the country’s gambling regulations, representing the first major easing of slot rules since the market’s inception rules that were among the most restrictive across Europe.
The stringent regulations in Germany have been widely regarded as a catalyst for the rise of the black market, with channelisation the process of directing players to legal operators struggling to keep pace. As a result, illicit gambling activities have flourished, undermining the regulated sector.
In 2024, the GGL commissioned a study highlighting the growing threat of the black market. The findings showed a 17% rise in its size, with illegal gambling generating a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €547 million. However, the report also emphasized the inherent difficulties in measuring these activities accurately, given their clandestine nature and the anonymity that shrouds them.
The GGL informed iGaming Expert that it plans to publish a comprehensive FAQs update regarding the upcoming regulatory changes. This move suggests that additional adjustments could be in the pipeline, reflecting a shift in the authority’s approach. Earlier this year, the GGL maintained that liabilities related to the black market should not influence the review of the Interstate regime, which limits licensed operators’ offerings.
This development aligns with broader efforts across Europe to combat illegal gambling. A recent report from the European Casino Association (ECA) warned that the black market targeting EU consumers reached an estimated €91.6 billion in 2025. The scale of the problem is staggering, with over 6,200 illegal operators actively targeting players within the EU. The ECA claims that unlicensed businesses now account for the majority of online gambling revenue across the EU-27.
Read Also: WorldGaming partners with SOFTSWISS on 2027 iGaming Trends Report
Erwin van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA, emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue: “The 2025 data from the GCI report leaves no room for doubt: illegal online gambling is a fast-growing, cross-border problem that puts players, especially young adults, at high risk, deprives societies of much-needed tax revenues, and undermines trust in the regulated market.”
He continued, “Licensed casinos and their online businesses operate under strict rules and invest heavily in responsible gambling and anti-money laundering measures. Yet illegal operators, often based outside the EU, can reach European consumers at the click of a button, without safeguards, oversight, or contribution to our communities.”
Van Lambaart called for stronger political commitment and enhanced cooperation between public and private sectors: “By connecting national enforcement efforts, financial intelligence units, and sector expertise, European institutions such as the European Commission, Europol, and AMLA can turn data into effective action.”
He concluded with a warning: “If we fail to act now, the illegal online market will continue to grow at the expense of players, public finances, and legitimate businesses.” Germany Black Market
