Germany’s gambling crackdown fails to curb booming black market activity
Germany’s gambling market is facing fresh challenges as illegal operators continue to thrive alongside stricter regulations. The country’s gambling regulator, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), reports that between 25% and 50% of all gambling activity now takes place on the black market. Meanwhile, legal operators saw a drop in stakes during the second quarter of 2025, raising concerns about the impact of unlicensed competition.
In 2024, the GGL identified 858 German-language gambling sites operated by 212 unlicensed providers. Authorities managed to shut down 231 illegal websites and blocked another 657 using geo-blocking measures. Despite these efforts, the regulator acknowledges that a significant portion of the market remains outside legal oversight.
The German gambling industry remains under pressure from both regulatory constraints and unlicensed competition. With a significant share of activity still taking place outside legal channels, authorities continue to push for stricter enforcement and global collaboration. The coming months will likely see further efforts to close gaps in oversight and reduce the black market’s influence.
