German Gambling Regulator Increases Enforcement Efforts Against Offshore Casinos

Yes, the online casino and sports betting market is growing in Germany. Yes, more and more players are trying to engage and yes again, the market is still unfortunately filled with black market vendors and offshore options, which is far from ideal. Germany’s gambling landscape has been under intense scrutiny and the national regulator, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), has been stepping up its enforcement efforts since last year in 2024. But this is still something that they sit and struggle with toward the end of 2025.

It's a tricky one because although the German gambling board seems to be doing all it possibly can to create a safer and more inclusive gaming environment, people can't help but move toward black market games or offshore games. This is why they are working overtime to try to increase their enforcement efforts to keep offshore and black market casinos away from their country. If you're interested in how they're doing this, then keep reading.

Greater Scrutiny on Licensed Operators

One of the biggest focuses last year was the increased oversight of licensed platforms. The GGL handled more than 230 license-related cases, including 28 new applications and over 200 amendments. Many of these were tied to high-risk gambling products such as online poker, sports betting, virtual slots and horse race betting. On top of that, the regulator reviewed nearly 1,800 virtual slot games to make sure they complied with Germany’s strict framework. This meant that they really put in the effort, that's for sure. It's great news, as this means that players can play with more safety in mind. So if they want to make use of their 100% casino bonus and get playing, they can do so without a worry.

Even major sporting events were under the spotlight, which was a real surprise to many. The GGL monitored sports betting operators closely, paying attention to how they advertised and whether their conduct put players at risk. For the most part, only minor issues cropped up, often involving promotional wording and bonus terms that weren’t entirely clear. But this was a clear sign from the gambling authority which showed that they were serious about making things safer.

Public Warnings as a New Enforcement Tool

The GGL introduced public warnings in 2024, using them as a visible way to keep licensed operators in line.

• Public warnings were issued for the first time in October 2024
• The regulator pledged to use them regularly to increase transparency and deter violations
• A court in Mainz confirmed the GGL’s right to use “markers of harm” to adjust deposit limits for at-risk players
• This legal backing strengthened the authority’s role in harm-prevention

Offshore Betting on Amateur Matches

One debate that gained traction in 2024 was around offshore betting on amateur football matches in Germany. Although such bets are banned under German law, offshore casinos and sportsbooks in other jurisdictions continue to offer them. The GGL clarified its stance, emphasizing that licensed firms must apply geofencing and prevent access, even from players using VPNs.

Concerns also surfaced over the use of real-time scouts gathering data during amateur games. The regulator warned that this practice raised integrity risks and increased the potential for manipulation. By 2025, this remains an open issue, with industry stakeholders still calling for stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of lower-level sports.

Expanding Enforcement Against Illegal Operators

Cracking down on offshore casinos was one of the regulator’s main priorities last year. As touched on above and expanded on below, you can see just what they were up to:

• Reviewed nearly 1,800 gambling websites
• Issued 231 prohibition orders against unlicensed operators
• Blocked 188 illegal gambling sites and 284 advertising platforms
• Worked with 43 payment service providers to cut off transactions to 165 illegal operators
• Applied geo-blocking under the Digital Services Act to restrict access to 657 websites

Despite these measures, offshore operators continue to adapt, relying on tactics like new domains, VPN access and cryptocurrency payments.

Legal Disputes and EU-Level Implications

The GGL also found itself deeply involved in legal disputes last year.

• Germany’s top civil court referred several cases to the European Court of Justice (ECJ)
• Pending ECJ rulings could decide whether players can reclaim money lost on illegal offshore platforms
• Pushed for amendments to Section 284 of the German Criminal Code to allow criminal prosecution of foreign operators targeting German players
• Proposed creating a specialized public prosecutor’s office for gambling-related crimes

These developments could reshape how both Germany and the wider EU handle cross-border gambling disputes.

Lasting Impacts in 2025

The GGL’s aggressive actions in 2024 left a clear mark on the industry and their effects are still being felt in 2025. Licensed operators are now more cautious, ensuring their advertising, bonuses and player protections align with the rules. Offshore platforms face greater barriers, though they continue to find ways to operate in the shadows, which is very unfortunate. You'd think that players would simply stop using them and stick to vetted German online casinos but this is not the case. You see, players seem to enjoy the thrill that comes with these offshore platforms, which is a pity but it's something the gambling authority is trying to solve.

It's clear to see that Germany’s gambling regulator has shown it is willing to adapt and create safer experiences for all.