Law enforcement agency, GdP, advocates for the recruitment of specialized investigators and the enhancement of strategies to combat illicit betting activities
In the heart of Europe, Germany's gambling regulatory authority, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), is stepping up its efforts to combat illegal gambling. Established in 2023 under the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021, the GGL is responsible for regulating online gambling across German federal states.
The GGL's focus on transparency and enforcement is evident in its quarterly publication of betting data since 2025. This initiative aims to provide a clearer picture of the gambling landscape, enabling better monitoring and combating of the illegal market. However, specific details on current staffing levels and training programs for investigators remain limited.
The extent of the illegal gambling market is a subject of debate. While the GGL estimates it accounts for only 3-4% of total gambling volume, industry voices caution that it could be as high as 50%. This discrepancy underscores the ongoing challenges in enforcement and the need for strengthened controls.
The GGL's strategic move to release quarterly Marketmonitor Glücksspiel reports from August 2025 onward is a significant step towards improving market supervision. Additionally, Germany participates in cross-border information exchanges with other EU countries, aiming to integrate anti-money laundering and match-fixing efforts, which could influence future staffing and training needs in enforcement agencies.
However, the police force is not immune to the issue of understaffing. Jochen Kopelke, the federal chairman of the GdP, has called for an increase in the number of investigators dedicated to combating illegal gambling. He emphasizes the need for more specialists exclusively dealing with investigations into illegal gambling and the associated criminal structures.
Kopelke also points out that fines imposed for illegal gambling may not be a sufficient deterrent. He advocates for more catalogue offenses in connection with illegal gambling and supports the use of extended investigative instruments such as telecommunications surveillance.
Yesterday, the police in Wiesbaden seized 75,000 euros in cash and initiated 13 criminal proceedings as part of an inter-agency inspection of gambling establishments, dealing a blow to illegal gambling. Despite such actions, Kopelke highlights that the number of undetected offenses seems to be high.
The GdP advocates for keeping illegal gambling as a criminal offense in the Criminal Code (§§ 284 ff. StGB). They believe that decriminalizing gambling could potentially benefit criminals more than it already does. To this end, they call for improvements in the program for further and advanced training for these investigators.
In conclusion, the GGL's efforts against illegal gambling are gaining momentum, but challenges persist. The police force's understaffing and the need for advanced training for investigators are issues that require immediate attention. As the fight against illegal gambling continues, it is clear that collaboration, transparency, and strategic initiatives will be key to success.
- What strategies could be implemented to ensure the ongoing success of the GGL's efforts in combating illegal casino-and-gambling?
- General-news: Is there any progress being made in addressing staffing levels and training programs for investigators dealing with crime-and-justice issues related to illegal gambling?
