Germany Gambling Regulator Enters Key Review Phase

Germany’s Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) has entered a new leadership cycle with Christian Hochgrebe taking over as chair of its Administrative Board on 1 July. The appointment follows the regulator’s annual rotation system, replacing Sandro Kirchner, who held the position during the previous term.

The structure reflects Germany’s federal approach to gambling oversight, where regulatory authority remains with the Länder rather than a central national government. The rotating chairmanship is intended to ensure that strategic direction remains aligned with regional political representation.

Kirchner’s tenure concluded after a year in which the regulator focused on strengthening its internal systems and supervisory capacity. He noted progress in staffing, digital development and enforcement activity, particularly targeting unlicensed gambling operators.

“Measures against illegal gambling were intensified, particularly regarding the use of hosting providers and the blocking of payments,” Kirchner said.

He also pointed to adjustments within the legal market framework designed to improve the appeal of licensed offerings and support channelisation away from offshore operators.

Treaty Review Becomes Central Focus

Hochgrebe assumes leadership at a time when the GGL is preparing for a statutory evaluation of Germany’s Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021). This review represents the first full assessment of the regulatory framework since its introduction in 2021.

The evaluation is expected to examine core policy areas including advertising restrictions, deposit limits, consumer protection obligations and broader responsible gambling measures. These elements will be assessed to determine whether they remain effective under current market conditions.

However, the review is not expected to reopen some of the treaty’s foundational restrictions. The €1 stake limit for online slot games, along with other structural limits on product design in the regulated online market, are anticipated to remain in place.

Industry observers see the process as one of the most significant regulatory assessments in Europe, given its potential influence on market structure and compliance requirements.

Enforcement and Market Structure Remain Key Priorities

Alongside the treaty review, the regulator continues to prioritise enforcement against illegal gambling operations. Actions have increasingly focused on infrastructure-level disruption, including payment services and hosting providers that support unlicensed platforms.

Kirchner described this approach as part of a broader effort to strengthen regulatory control.

“Measures against illegal gambling were intensified, particularly regarding the use of hosting providers and the blocking of payments,” he said.

At the same time, the GGL has worked to adjust conditions within the regulated market in an effort to improve competitiveness against offshore operators. These adjustments are intended to support channelisation, a long-standing challenge in Germany’s gambling framework.

Hochgrebe indicated that enforcement and supervision will remain central under his leadership. He highlighted both the treaty review and illegal market suppression as key priorities for the year ahead.

“In the future, it will be important to actively shape and review current developments and existing structures,” he said, adding that “the fight against illegal structures” remains a core focus.

Political Attention Intensifies Ahead of Evaluation

The upcoming review is also drawing attention from political stakeholders, including members of the governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Their interest adds further scrutiny to a process already expected to shape Germany’s gambling policy direction for years to come.

While the regulatory framework remains stable in its structure, questions continue around its effectiveness in balancing consumer protection with market competitiveness. That tension is expected to feature prominently in the evaluation process.

As reported by SBC News, citing the official PR, GGL board member Ronald Benter said the regulator remains well-positioned to manage the transition into this review phase, citing continued cooperation with federal states and institutional stability.

“Our cooperation with the federal states to date is based on mutual trust and support,” he said, adding that the organisation is “well prepared for a year full of challenges.”

With leadership now transferred and the treaty review approaching, Germany’s gambling regulator enters a period of sustained scrutiny. The outcome of the GlüStV 2021 evaluation will determine whether adjustments are made to advertising rules, deposit limits and consumer protection frameworks, while core structural restrictions are expected to remain unchanged.

For the GGL, the coming year is positioned as a defining phase in shaping the next stage of Germany’s regulated gambling market.