Only one in twelve German betting websites is legal, industry body warns
The DSWV has reiterated its warning about the proliferation of illegal sports betting sites in the country.
Germany.- The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) has reiterated its warning about the extent of unlicensed gambling in the country. Citing a report from the national regulator the GGL from last year, it says there are at least 382 illegal German-language sports betting websites compared with 34 legal ones.
It issued the statement to coincide with the run-up to the new Champions League season, which is the second most-bet-on competition in Germany after the Bundesliga.
DSWV president Mathias Dahms, said: “Online, it’s 11:1 in favour of the black market and that puts players at risk. In the legal sports betting market, players benefit from guaranteed player protection, reliable payouts and tax revenue for the common good. Illegal providers in the black market, on the other hand, do not adhere to any rules, offer no security and have a higher risk of gambling addiction.”
Dahms added: “Players need to be particularly vigilant at this time of year so that they don’t accidentally end up with illegal providers. This is another reason why it is important that the legal providers are present with perimeter boards and TV advertising during the Champions League matches.”
As for how players can distinguish legal operators, the DSWV noted that only licensed operators are allowed to advertise on stadium boards and on television, while the GGL has a whitelist. Legal opertors also have a clearly visible GGL logo on their websites.
Dahms added: “It is in the common interest of regulators, providers and players to strengthen the legal market and push back the black market. This is the only way to ensure player protection, integrity and tax revenues.”
The GGL recently issued a warning against the use of token-based social betting platforms and event contracts on prediction-based trading platforms like Polymarket. It advised consumers that such platforms are not permitted under the Fourth Interstate Gambling Treaty of 2021 and are not licensed by the regulator.
The GGL made specific reference to what it described as an explosion of media reports about rising numbers of “entertainment-type bets” on the results of the Ukraine war. It said that events contracts constitute illegal betting in Germany. It stressed the volatility of real-world events not connected to sports and that such products cannot be approved under German legislation.
