Illegal Sports Betting Sites Surge in Germany, Threatening Legal Market
The number of illegal German-language sports betting websites monitored by the GGL (Joint Gaming Authority of the Länder) has jumped from 281 to 382 compared to 2023 – a significant 36 percent increase. This data, reported by the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV), is based on the recently published activity report of the GGL.
In stark contrast, the DSWV notes that only 34 websites from 30 licensed providers are listed on the GGL’s official whitelist. This translates to a ratio of approximately 1:11 between legal and illegal sports betting offerings online. The DSWV argues that this rise in illegal offerings demonstrates the increasing pressure on the legal sports betting market in Germany.
“The alarming increase is a warning sign,” says DSWV President Mathias Dahms. “Illegal providers benefit from offering a much broader range of betting options – especially in the popular area of live betting, as well as in the number of sports and competitions available. Many users turn to these illegal sites for precisely this reason.”
Black Market Claims 25% of Online Gambling Revenue
According to the GGL, approximately 25 percent of the total market for online sports betting, virtual slot games, and online poker is attributed to unlicensed providers. This figure, revealed for the first time by the GGL, is considered “still far too low” by the DSWV.
“At least a quarter of the market is illegal – this is a clear, official confirmation that the black market is a serious structural problem and not just a fringe phenomenon,” Dahms emphasizes. The association is therefore calling for measures to combat the growing black market. “If you want to strengthen player protection, you have to ensure that legal providers are competitive. Otherwise, this protection will be undermined by illegal offerings.”
DSWV Advocates for Attractive Legal Options
Dahms stresses that the legal market, with its extensive player protection measures, is safer than ever. However, he warns that over-regulation could diminish its appeal, driving users to illegal alternatives.
“Only those who create a reputable but also attractive offering can keep players in the legal market and effectively contain the black market,” Dahms argues. “The best protection against the black market is an attractive, legal offering. This includes more permissible types of bets, more live bets, and a realistic design of the regulation.”
Official Data on Betting Stakes Released
The DSWV welcomes the GGL’s decision to include the total betting stakes of licensed sports betting providers in its latest report. According to the report, these amounted to 8.2 billion euros in 2024 (compared to 7.9 billion euros in the previous year). This, Dahms believes, creates greater transparency for the market and the public.
“Fact-based debates about the development of sports betting in Germany are only possible if we have access to reliable official figures – we expressly welcome this step.”
Stay ahead of the game in the licensed betting world – get the latest insights at LicensedBettingSites.com.
