GGL drives European dialogue on responsible gambling

The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Germany’s federal gambling regulator, has reaffirmed its commitment to cross-border collaboration by hosting a high-level regional conference dedicated to improving coordination among German-speaking gambling authorities. The event, held in Halle over two days this week, brought together representatives from Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein—the so-called DACHL countries—to exchange expertise and strengthen their shared regulatory framework.

Purpose and vision of the DACHL regulatory meeting

The annual DACHL meeting, organized under the auspices of the GGL, serves as a platform for professional cooperation and the exchange of best practices among gambling regulators from German-speaking regions. With the gambling landscape in Europe undergoing rapid transformation, the event emphasized the need for consistent legal frameworks, robust enforcement mechanisms, and joint responses to emerging risks, including illegal online gambling and the growing integration of technology in gaming environments.

The conference featured a series of working sessions that focused on law enforcement challenges, market integrity, and consumer protection. The participants shared national experiences on issues ranging from technical enforcement tools to criminal law provisions in gambling regulation.

Focus on combating illegal gambling

One of the most significant topics on the agenda was the fight against illegal gambling, a persistent challenge for regulators across Europe. The participants examined the evolving methods used by unlicensed operators to target consumers and discussed how modern technical measures such as IP blocking and payment blocking can help curb such activities.

Authorities agreed that technological cooperation—including shared databases, joint investigations, and harmonized approaches to website blocking—will be crucial in dismantling cross-border illegal networks. Discussions also centered on the need for balanced enforcement, ensuring that legitimate operators under license are protected while consumer access to illegal markets is minimized.

In line with these goals, the regulators pledged to intensify international cooperation and improve data exchange to enhance transparency and effectiveness.

Review of the German State Treaty on Gambling

Another major focus of the conference was the evaluation of the German State Treaty on Gambling (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021), the legal foundation that introduced a regulated framework for online gambling in Germany.

The GGL is currently conducting a comprehensive market review to assess how the treaty has functioned since its implementation. The discussions during the conference highlighted various interpretations and enforcement approaches within the DACHL countries, particularly regarding online casino operations, sports betting, and the regulation of emerging digital gambling forms.

Representatives also examined criminal law overlaps and differences in national provisions governing gambling offences, including unlicensed operations and money-laundering risks.

Loot boxes and gambling law interpretation

A key emerging issue discussed at the event was the legal classification of loot boxes—a feature increasingly present in video games that allows players to purchase virtual items of uncertain value. The topic has become a matter of debate across Europe, as regulators assess whether loot boxes constitute a form of gambling under existing laws.

Participants shared their respective national approaches and identified potential overlaps in regulatory standards. The dialogue reflected a shared recognition that the digitalization of entertainment and gaming blurs traditional boundaries between gambling and video gaming, requiring updated legal definitions and new supervisory tools.

Addressing illegal betting and integrity in sports

The issue of sports betting integrity received considerable attention. Regulators discussed the rise of illegal betting activities in amateur and semi-professional sports, which pose significant risks for match-fixing and money laundering.

The meeting explored technical solutions to prevent the circumvention of player identity verification, ensuring that betting platforms can reliably confirm customer identities and comply with anti-money laundering obligations.

The regulators also examined monitoring mechanisms and cooperation with sports organizations to strengthen oversight and uphold fair competition in the sports betting sector.

Gambling addiction prevention and harm minimization

Another central theme of the conference was gambling addiction prevention, a cornerstone of responsible gambling policy across Europe. The discussion focused on harm markers, a set of behavioral indicators that help regulators and licensed operators identify problematic gambling patterns at an early stage.

The GGL and its DACHL counterparts reviewed the implementation of these markers within national monitoring systems and emphasized the importance of evidence-based intervention strategies. Regulators agreed that prevention efforts must go beyond enforcement by also addressing public awareness, education, and early detection.

European standards for harm markers

In this context, the participants welcomed the progress of the European Betting and Gaming Council (EBGC) initiative to establish a European standard for gambling harm markers. The proposal recently received strong backing from the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), with a majority of national standardization bodies voting in favor.

The new standard, expected to be finalized by early 2026, aims to create a unified set of metrics and protocols for identifying gambling-related harm across jurisdictions. This development was seen as an important step toward consistent consumer protection across the European Union and beyond.

Statements from GGL leadership

Ronald Benter, CEO of the GGL, underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation among European regulators. He stated:
“Through close cooperation with European regulatory authorities, we can benefit in all areas – from combating illegal gambling to supervising licensed providers and preventing gambling addiction. At the same time, we contribute our experience and successful measures to the European exchange.”

His remarks reinforced the GGL’s position as an active and collaborative leader in European gambling governance, committed to sharing expertise and building collective resilience against regulatory challenges.

Advancing international regulatory cooperation

Looking ahead, the GGL announced plans to intensify international cooperation through ongoing information sharing, joint training initiatives, and the use of modern technologies to strengthen regulatory efficiency.

The authority plans to develop new cross-border coordination frameworks that facilitate real-time data exchange, improve transparency in licensing, and enhance consumer protection. These efforts will also help harmonize approaches to enforcement and supervision across European jurisdictions.

In addition, the GGL revealed that it is planning a major European regulatory conference in 2026, which will gather gambling authorities from across the continent to discuss digital innovation, market supervision, and social responsibility in gambling regulation.

The evolving landscape of gambling regulation in Europe

The DACHL conference underscored that gambling regulation in Europe is entering a new phase characterized by technological convergence, cross-border enforcement needs, and shared social responsibilities.

While the German market continues to mature under the State Treaty, challenges remain—particularly in addressing illegal operators, consumer migration to unlicensed platforms, and the balance between commercial freedom and player protection.

For Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, similar regulatory debates are unfolding as each jurisdiction seeks to adapt its laws to new forms of online entertainment and financial transactions. The shared dialogue within the DACHL framework provides a foundation for unified strategies, ensuring that no national market becomes a weak point for cross-border illegal gambling.

A collective commitment to integrity and protection

At the conclusion of the conference, all participants reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the gambling sector through cooperation, transparency, and responsible innovation. The discussions highlighted a shared understanding that effective regulation cannot exist in isolation and that collective vigilance is essential to maintaining public trust.

The event not only reinforced regulatory ties between the DACHL countries but also sent a clear signal to the broader European community: the future of gambling oversight lies in collaboration, digital readiness, and a proactive stance against illegal operations.

Conclusion

The annual DACHL conference hosted by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of a more transparent, secure, and responsible gambling environment across Europe. By gathering regulators from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, the event underscored the shared commitment of these nations to address the evolving challenges of online gambling through cooperation, technological innovation, and unified legal approaches.

The discussions held in Halle reflected a growing consensus that effective regulation requires collaboration beyond national borders. Whether through combating illegal gambling, developing common standards for harm prevention, or advancing responsible innovation, the participants demonstrated that a coordinated European response is essential for protecting players and maintaining market integrity.

As gambling becomes increasingly digital and interconnected, the GGL’s vision of strengthening cross-border dialogue and information exchange represents a forward-looking model for regulatory governance. The authority’s pledge to expand cooperation, enhance enforcement capabilities, and contribute to a Europe-wide standard of consumer protection highlights its leadership role in shaping the continent’s gambling future.

Ultimately, the conference reaffirmed that the path toward a sustainable and ethical gambling market lies in collective responsibility, shared expertise, and a commitment to protecting public welfare. Through continuous collaboration and transparency, the DACHL regulators have set a clear example of how regulatory bodies can work together to ensure that the gambling industry operates within the highest standards of fairness, safety, and integrity.

FAQs

What is the GGL?
The GGL, or Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, is Germany’s central gambling regulator responsible for licensing, oversight, and enforcement under the State Treaty on Gambling.

What was the main purpose of the recent GGL conference?
The meeting aimed to enhance cooperation among gambling regulators from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, focusing on illegal gambling and harm prevention.

Which countries participated in the conference?
Representatives from Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein attended alongside Germany, forming the DACHL group of regulatory authorities.

Why is international cooperation important in gambling regulation?
Cross-border cooperation helps combat illegal gambling networks, harmonize standards, and ensure consistent player protection across jurisdictions.

What is IP blocking and why is it used?
IP blocking is a technical tool regulators use to restrict access to unlicensed gambling websites that operate outside legal frameworks.

What is the State Treaty on Gambling?
The State Treaty on Gambling (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021) is the legal framework that governs gambling in Germany, including online betting and casino games.

How are loot boxes connected to gambling law?
Loot boxes may resemble gambling since they involve paying for a chance to win virtual rewards, prompting regulators to examine their legality.

What are harm markers in gambling regulation?
Harm markers are behavioral indicators that help detect early signs of problematic or addictive gambling behavior.

What role does the European Betting and Gaming Council play?
The EBGC promotes responsible gambling and has initiated the development of a European standard for harm markers.

What future plans did the GGL announce?
The GGL plans to deepen cooperation with European regulators, improve information sharing, and host a pan-European conference in 2026.