Germany’s GGL took part in the Gambling Regulators European Forum conference in Sofia from 1 to 3 June 2026, discussing illegal gambling, player protection and data-based supervision. The GGL said participants considered ways to improve information-sharing and cross-border enforcement against unauthorised operators.
The discussions may shape cooperation and enforcement expectations for operators active across European markets.
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Germany’s federal commissioner for addiction and drugs, Hendrik Streeck, called for stronger enforcement against illegal gambling and possible changes to criminal law. He urged closer cooperation between the federal government and Länder, while the Deutsche Automatenwirtschaft voiced support for the OASIS self-exclusion system. The report says about 1.2 million people in Germany have a gambling disorder and three million show problematic behaviour.
Germany’s federal commissioner for addiction and drug issues, Professor Hendrik Streeck, called for stronger player protection and action against illegal gambling operators. He warned about gambling addiction’s serious consequences during a nationwide awareness day.
Germany's federal commissioner for addiction and drug issues, Professor Hendrik Streeck, used the nationwide action day against gambling addiction to call for stronger player protection and for consistent action against illegal gambling providers. Streeck, who is patron of the action day, said prevention and help for those affected belong to effective player protection alongside enforcement against illegal gambling, according to his office.
Saarland parliamentary groups discussed shortcomings in tackling illegal gambling on 24 August. The state government acknowledged that police lack equipment to analyse illegal gaming machines and that municipal enforcement varies. CDU representatives called for closer coordination between authorities, while the SPD highlighted additional police recruitment and a pilot targeting illegal gambling in hospitality venues.
Germany’s government drug commissioner Hendrik Streeck called for authorities to strengthen action against illegal gambling, according to the statement. He said enforcement should improve while legal gambling retains its protective standards. Industry representatives argued that illegal operators undermine licensed businesses, while an SPD lawmaker warned that making legal gambling more attractive could expand the overall market.
Germany’s Joint Gambling Authority of the Länder (GGL) said it would continue measures against unauthorised gambling after Frankfurt prosecutors’ investigation into offers linked to about €5.86bn in stakes between July 2021 and the end of 2023. The GGL said its support for investigations includes information from payment blocking, website blocking and action against advertising; the DOCV and DSWV called for the authority to review its estimates of the illegal market.