Germany's Joint Gambling Authority (GGL) has asked lawmakers for broader enforcement powers to match the speed at which illegal operators adapt their business models and technology. The regulator made the call after five years of operation under the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling.
GGL wants the upcoming treaty revision to expand what it can do within the existing legal framework. The authority currently employs around 100 staff and has licensed 129 operators and intermediaries, overseeing 229 sites. It conducted more than 600 compliance checks in 2025, covering player protection, advertising and product structure. Two licences have been revoked since launch.
Enforcement against unlicensed operators has grown sharply. Prohibition proceedings rose from 68 in 2022 to 287 in 2025. By the end of last year, GGL had reviewed around 6,300 sites for illegal offers and advertising.
The regulator now targets the ecosystem around illegal operators rather than blocking individual domains. Payment providers, advertising partners, affiliate networks and hosting services are all in scope. Board member Ronald Benter said the strategy undermines the viability of illegal business models and raises their long-term operating costs.
For affiliates running traffic in Germany, that means unlicensed offers carry more risk. Payment processors and tracking platforms are under pressure.
