Germany’s Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) has confirmed that a further update is on the way, as stake limits for slots players were raised to €5.
It marks the first significant loosening of slots regulations, which were some of the most restrictive in Europe, since the market opened.
The tight restrictions in Germany have been cited as having a key impact on the surge of the black market, as channelisation has proven to be a real change for the regulated sector.
In 2024, the GGL commissioned a study that revealed the significance of the threat of the black market.
It underpinned a 17% increase in the size of the black market, with it now reaching a GGR of €547m.
This comes with caveats, though, given by the very nature it operates in the dark, and is untraceable due to a veil of anonymity.
The GGL revealed to iGaming Expert that it will release a full FAQs update around the new guidance, which could indicate that further regulatory adjustments could be on the way.
It’s a decision that marks a shift in stance from the GGL, after earlier in the year it affirmed that black market liabilities are no grounds for a review of the Interstate regime, limiting the offering of licensed operators.
It does underpin wider intensified efforts across Europe to thwart the black market, with a report from the European Casino Association (ECA) yesterday warning that the black market targeting EU consumers reached an estimated €91.6bn (£78.3bn) in 2025.
Such is the scale of the issue, the ECA detailed that in excess of 6,200 illegal gambling operators are actively targeting EU consumers and claims that unlicensed businesses now account for the majority of online gambling revenue across the EU-27.
ECA Chair, Erwin van Lambaart, commented: “The 2025 data from the GCI report leaves no room for doubt: illegal online gambling is a fast-growing, cross-border problem that puts players, especially young adults, at high risk, deprives societies of much-needed tax revenues, and undermines trust in the regulated market.
“Licensed casinos and their online businesses operate under strict rules and invest heavily in responsible gambling and anti-money-laundering measures. Yet illegal operators, often based outside the EU, can reach European consumers at the click of a button, without safeguards, without oversight and without contributing to our communities.
“This is why we need strong political will and strengthened public-private cooperation that is aligned with this reality. By connecting national enforcement efforts, financial intelligence units and sector expertise, European institutions and agencies such as the European Commission, Europol and AMLA can help us turn data into action.
“If we fail to act now, the illegal online market will continue to grow at the expense of players, public finances and legitimate businesses.”
