Understanding the GGL: Tasks and Responsibilities of Germany's Gambling Regulator

The regulation of the German gambling market has undergone a massive structural change in recent years. With the establishment of the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL), a central public law institution was created to act for all 16 federal states. Since setting up its headquarters in Halle (Saale), it has bundled powers that were previously fragmented, ensuring uniform supervision of online offers. This involves not just issuing licenses, but also permanent monitoring of market participants to guarantee player protection and market integrity.

A key aspect of its work is the distinction between legal and illegal offers. While the GGL maintains the official Whitelist, where any citizen can see which providers hold a valid permit, it simultaneously takes a tough stance against black market operators. This fight against illegal gambling is multi-faceted, encompassing both technical and financial measures. Nevertheless, there are limits to its scope of action, clearly defined by German jurisdiction and the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling.

Numbers and facts

Since January 1, 2023, the GGL has been officially responsible for managing the cross-border gambling supervision system, LUGAS. This IT system is the heart of monitoring, ensuring that statutory limits are respected. In 2025, the authority noticeably shifted its strategic focus. Instead of merely issuing permits, the focus is now on the structured control of already licensed companies. This includes continuous and event-driven audits for online poker and virtual slot machines.

An interesting fact concerns so-called network blocks. Although IP blocking is theoretically a powerful tool against illegal providers from third countries, the GGL's hands are partially tied. Following relevant court decisions, the authority has not initiated any further measures of this type against access providers since 2022. Instead, there is an increased focus on payment blocking to cut off cash flows and thus remove the economic basis for illegal platforms.

Background

The creation of the GGL is directly based on the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021). Before this new regulation, the German market was often a legal gray area where many providers operated with licenses from Malta (MGA) or Curacao, which were not officially recognized in Germany. The GGL now ensures that only providers with a German license can operate legally. However, the authority is not responsible for everything. While it monitors online poker, virtual slots, and sports betting, areas such as land-based casinos or the player blocking system OASIS remain in the hands of other agencies.

"The GGL is the central supervisory authority for the cross-border gambling market in Germany. It grants permits for certain gambling offers and monitors their compliance." - GGL representative, describing the authority's tasks

This distribution of tasks means that the Darmstadt Regional Council remains permanently responsible for OASIS. Anyone wishing to be blocked or requesting a reversal of a block does not need to contact the authority in Halle. The GGL concentrates on market observation and the enforcement of regulatory requirements against operators.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, the GGL's work primarily means safety, but also restrictions. Anyone playing at a provider listed on the Whitelist can rely on the strict rules of the GlüStV 2021 being followed. This includes the cross-provider deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month, controlled via the LUGAS system. The stake limit of a maximum of 1 euro per spin on virtual slot machines is also a direct result of this regulation. The GGL ensures that these technical hurdles are not bypassed.

Furthermore, the Whitelist offers an easy way to verify operators. Players should ensure their chosen provider is listed there to enjoy the protection of German authorities in case of problems. However, it is important to know: the GGL does not provide legal advice and does not collect private claims such as lost stakes or denied payouts. For these issues, players must still pursue civil legal action through the courts.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Operators of online casinos must prepare for a significantly stricter auditing routine. Now that the licensing phase is largely complete, the GGL is using its resources for supervisory discussions and unscheduled checks. A violation of advertising guidelines or technical errors in the LUGAS connection can quickly lead to administrative offense proceedings according to Section 28a GlüStV 2021. Cooperation with the authority is essential for licensed companies to secure their permits in the long term.