In its annual report for 2025, Germany's Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) detailed the ongoing developments in the regulated gambling sector, highlighting enforcement actions against illegal operators and player protection initiatives. The report indicated that the legally regulated German gambling market generated €14.4 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2025, maintaining the same level as the previous year. Gambling taxes collected amounted to €6.9 billion, reflecting a 1% decline compared to 2024. Online gambling continued to thrive, reporting €3.5 billion, which marks a 2% increase compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the GGL undertook several significant actions, including:
– Reviewing 28,478 games for entry into the regulated market, which included 956 online slot games.
– Conducting 621 compliance checks on licensed operators.
– Processing 148 license applications and modifications.
– Concluding the year with 135 licensed operators listed on the official whitelist, encompassing 232 gambling sites.
The GGL intensified efforts against illegal gambling, achieving the following:
– Shutting down 1,843 illegal gambling websites.
– Issuing 287 cease-and-desist orders aimed at illegal operators and advertisers.
– Forcing 152 companies, including 66 operators and 86 advertisers, to exit the German market.
– Filing 86 criminal complaints with law enforcement.
– Participating in 47 court proceedings.
– Collaborating with payment providers to urge 38 payment processors to disconnect from illegal operators associated with 178 gambling websites.
According to the national gambling monitoring system (LUGAS), there were 5.3 million registered players in 2025. The GGL also continued to engage in scientific research related to online gambling regulation, investing approximately €1.4 million in three separate projects.
