Gambling Stakeholders Call for Changes to Germany’s GlüNeuRStv Regime

Summary:

• Industry stakeholders say stringent measures have not been effective in driving players to licensed sites
• The German govt. should focus more on improving the legal market’s offerings
• Trade bodies call for immediate changes to the existing online gambling regime

Germany’s existing online gambling regime needs to be fixed to effectively protect customers from the harms associated with unlicensed gambling platforms.

That’s the warning from industry stakeholders who took part in a recent event in Dusseldorf discussing the latest developments in the German online gambling market since the Interstate Gambling Treaty (GlüNeuRStv) took effect in 2021.

GlüNeuRStv Measures Failed to Address Black Market Issues

Held on September 21 and co-hosted by the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) and the German Online Casino Association (DOCV), the “Parliamentary Evening” provided an avenue for gambling stakeholders across Germany to raise their concerns over market rules implemented under the GlüNeuRStv regime.

The event’s headline speaker, Christof Rasche, the Vice President of the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia, stated that measures imposed by the government thus far have been heavily focused on “bans and restrictions” which have not been effective in directing customers to the regulated market.

According to Rasche, rather than constantly introducing restrictive rules, the government must look for ways to enhance the legal market’s offer. This according to Rasche, will help provide a “controlled system” to protect consumers from black market risks. Rasche said the GlüNeuRStv regime must be promptly evaluated and changes must be made so it can effectively deliver on its goals.

Online Slots Tax Revenue on the Decline

DOCV President Dr. Dirk Quermann echoed Rasche’s concerns, saying stringent measures introduced under the Interstate Gambling Treaty, such as the €1 maximum stake limit for online slots, have resulted in a continuous decline in tax volume. In its assessment, the DOCV found that tax revenue from online slots had dropped from €40 million to €20 million per month since 2021 when the maximum stake limit began to take effect.

Quermann called on Germany’s gambling regulator Gluecksspiel (GGL) to correct the limitations, saying it is authorized to do so even without intervention by the German parliament, the Bundestag.

Meanwhile, DSWV President Mathias Dahms touched on the ongoing debate regarding betting advertising, saying he remains hopeful that stakeholders can find common ground on planned changes to Germany’s gambling advertising rules.

The GGL recently opened its tender for an academic institution that will be tasked to conduct a federal study on gambling advertising. It forms part of the regulator’s ongoing evaluation of the GlüNeuRStv laws.