German Regulator GGL Reports Illegal Market Enforcement Progress
Jacob Mitchell 
Key Takeaways:
- GGL's annual report details enforcement against Germany's illegal online gaming market.
- 254 illegal online operators withdrew offerings by December 31, 2025.
- 370 advertisers ceased promoting illegal brands by December 31, 2025.
- 1,208 illegal gambling websites and 343 advertisers were removed.
- GGL undertook 287 prohibition proceedings against unlicensed gambling.
- Germany's online channelisation rate is 77%, with 22.97% unregulated market.
Germany's gambling regulator, the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL), has released its latest annual report, detailing its enforcement efforts against the unregulated online gaming market. The report indicates that as of December 31, 2025, 254 illegal online operators had withdrawn their offerings from the German market. Additionally, 370 advertisers ceased promoting illegal brands within the same timeframe.
GGL's Enforcement Actions Detailed
The GGL's report highlights significant progress in its fight against illegal gambling activities, emphasizing the importance of online casino licensing requirements. The figures for December 31, 2025, show an increase of 66 illegal operators removed compared to the previous year's statistics. Furthermore, an additional 86 advertisers stopped their activities promoting unregulated brands.
The regulator's review process involved scrutinizing 2,263 websites. This extensive review led to the removal of 1,208 illegal gambling websites, a key focus for online gambling in Germany. Concurrently, 343 advertisers found to be promoting illegal content were also removed from the market.
In its enforcement capacity, the GGL undertook a total of 287 prohibition proceedings. These proceedings addressed various aspects of illegal gambling, including the unlicensed operation of gambling services and the promotion of such activities. Cases specifically involving advertising related solely to illegal gambling were also covered.
During 2025 alone, the GGL reported that 152 illegal online operators or advertisers ceased their offerings. These cessations were a direct result of hearings conducted or prohibition orders issued by the regulator.
Germany's Unregulated Market Under Scrutiny
The issue of the illegal gambling market has been a prominent topic within the industry, with jurisdictions such as the UK and the online gambling in Netherlands frequently highlighted. Germany's unregulated market is similarly under close examination by authorities.
The latest data from the GGL provides further insight into the market landscape. Earlier in March, the regulator had stated that Germany achieved an online channelisation rate of 77 per cent. This metric suggests that a significant portion of regulated online casino markets operate within the regulated framework.
Based on the GGL's estimates, the size of the unregulated gambling market in Germany accounts for 22.97 per cent of the total market volume. The ongoing enforcement actions detailed in the annual report are part of the regulator's strategy to address this segment and further enhance channelisation.
