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Ronald Benter emphasized that the evaluation must focus on proven goal achievements rather than speculation about regulatory adjustments.
Mar 23, 2026 · 5 min read
The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) has taken a measured stance on the upcoming evaluation of Germany's gambling framework, with board member Ronald Benter defending current regulatory achievements at the 23rd Glücksspiel-Symposium der Universität Hohenheim.
Speaking at the symposium hosted by the Forschungsstelle Glücksspiel, Benter addressed mounting expectations surrounding the final evaluation report of the 2021 Glücksspielstaatsvertrag, which is due by year-end. The report will assess the impact of newly permitted online gambling licenses on illegal market development.
Benter emphasized that any regulatory adjustments must be grounded in demonstrable evidence rather than theoretical concerns about market developments.
"Evaluierung muss sich auf die Prüfung der Zielerreichung, das heißt auf Erfolg oder Misserfolg der Bekämpfung des illegalen Glücksspiels sowie den Nichtanstieg beim problematischen bzw. pathologischen Glücksspiel konzentrieren und bei nachweisbaren Zielverfehlungen Anpassungsbedarfe kenntlich machen."
— Ronald Benter, GGL Board Member
The GGL executive stressed that evidence is essential before deviating from the 2020 legislative decisions, noting that lawmakers were already aware of the inherent risks in newly licensable gambling forms when drafting the treaty and established appropriate licensing requirements accordingly.
As with the interim report presentation in spring 2024, industry stakeholders are closely watching this evaluation phase, with some expressing concerns about either insufficient channelization due to overly strict operator requirements or increased addiction risks from potentially lax advertising and limit regulations.
Benter highlighted the significant transformation achieved through the 2021 treaty's unified online gambling licensing procedures, which successfully channelized most major operators into the regulated, supervised market. The GGL Study Confirms Regulated Market Dominance at 77% Share has been scientifically validated both in methodology and results.
Dr. Fred Steinmetz presented supporting evidence at the symposium through the study "Untersuchung des Schwarzmarktes und der Kanalisierung von Glücksspielen im Internet anhand einer Befragung von Glücksspielenden," which was published on the GGL website this week.
The authority has continued making progress against illegal online gambling, with department head Nadja Wierzejewski outlining enforcement successes at Symposium 2025. The GGL now targets all participants in illegal offerings, though further black market reduction requires collaboration with payment service providers, prosecutors, and public education initiatives.
77%
Internet Gambling Channelization Rate
2,021
Glücksspielstaatsvertrag Implementation Year
5
Years of GGL Operational Experience
The channelization goal must be balanced against other treaty objectives, with player protection effectiveness serving as a critical success parameter. Recent research supports the current approach's stability.
The Glücksspiel-Survey 2025 results, published last week and discussed at the symposium, indicate relatively stable gambling behavior patterns in Germany.
"Für die diesjährige Evaluierung bedeutet dies, dass wir bisher keine validen Anzeichen dafür haben, dass sich die Fallzahlen von problematischem und pathologischem Glücksspiel seit 2023 signifikant geändert haben, so dass keine derartigen Fehlentwicklungen zu beobachten sind."
— Ronald Benter, GGL Board Member
Based on supervisory activities and market monitoring, the GGL has not identified verifiable deviations from the treaty's intended development trajectory.
Evaluation Methodology
The GGL's evaluation approach focuses on three commissioned studies combined with five years of operational expertise. The assessment prioritizes measurable outcomes including illegal gambling combat effectiveness and addiction rate stability rather than theoretical market concerns.
The GGL will incorporate findings from three commissioned studies alongside expertise gathered during its five years of operation into the evaluation process. Following the final report's completion, legislators will assess identified action needs and implement corresponding adjustments.
The authority's emphasis on evidence-based evaluation signals resistance to premature regulatory changes without demonstrable market failures.
The GGL's defensive posture suggests minimal immediate regulatory changes for licensed operators, despite ongoing industry pressure for framework modifications. This evidence-first approach may reassure operators concerned about sudden compliance shifts while maintaining the authority's credibility with skeptical stakeholders.
The focus on proven channelization success and stable addiction rates provides regulatory cover against calls for either liberalization or restriction. However, operators should monitor the final evaluation report for any identified enforcement gaps that could trigger targeted regulatory responses in 2025.
Compliance Strategy
Licensed operators should maintain current compliance frameworks while monitoring the final evaluation report for specific enforcement gaps. The evidence-based approach suggests minimal immediate regulatory changes, but targeted responses may emerge if market failures are identified in 2025.
The final evaluation report of the 2021 Glücksspielstaatsvertrag is due by year-end. It will assess the impact of newly permitted online gambling licenses on illegal market development.
The GGL reports a 77% channelization rate for internet gambling, which has been scientifically validated in both methodology and results. This represents successful migration of major operators into the regulated, supervised market.
The authority uses the Glücksspiel-Survey 2025 results and supervisory monitoring data to assess addiction rates. Current findings indicate stable gambling behavior patterns with no significant changes in problematic or pathological gambling cases since 2023.
According to German Gambling Authority (GGL).
Legal Disclaimer
This content reflects a general overview of regulatory frameworks based on publicly available information. It does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion. iGamingWriter.blog disclaims any liability arising from reliance on this material.
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