Published on: February 6, 2026, 07:51h.
Updated on: February 6, 2026, 07:51h.
- German regulator estimates online black-market gambling at approximately 25%
- Independent assessments indicate illegal gambling might exceed 50% of online activities
- Stringent regulations could be forcing at-risk players to seek offshore alternatives
The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Germany’s gaming authority, reports that the online black market represents around 25% of total activity in its 2024 report, implying that a significant portion of German gamblers engage with unregulated sites.
This issue is significant because, unlike many jurisdictions, participating in illegal gambling in Germany is criminalized, potentially implicating a large segment of the population. However, online gaming and news outlet Games Hub considers the GGL’s estimate to be overly optimistic, suggesting that the actual number may be considerably higher.
High-Stakes Black Market
According to Games Hub, some experts indicate the black market might range between 40% to 60%. A study conducted in late 2025 by the Handelsblatt Research Institute titled Online Gambling in Germany: Channelling and Development of the Black Market suggested that the black market’s share likely exceeds 50%, indicating that more than half of online gambling activities occur outside the regulated framework.
Furthermore, the findings imply that the broad participation statistics may not accurately capture the situation. Researchers pointed out that high-volume and high-stakes gamblers are likely more active on unlicensed platforms, thus amplifying the black market’s influence beyond mere player numbers.
Excerpt from the report: “It is important to recognize that illegal online gaming providers often attract players engaging at high intensity and larger stakes. Thus, the significance of the black market in gambling extends beyond the simple player figures represented by percentages.”
Germany revamped its online gaming regulations in 2021, transitioning from a fragmented state-based system to a comprehensive framework that ranks among the strictest in Europe. The emphasis was on protecting players and mitigating gambling-related harm.
Changes included tight limits on betting amounts (€1 per spin for slots) and gameplay speed. Furthermore, marketing and promotional activities were heavily restricted, while OASIS, Germany’s national player self-exclusion database, provides a continuous 24-hour option for players to initiate immediate exclusion.
Future Changes
Critics argue that if black-market involvement is as extensive as some estimates propose, these protective measures might be counterproductive, pushing higher-risk players to offshore options where regulations are either weaker or altogether nonexistent.
The GGL is currently evaluating its regulatory measures to enhance channelization—its effectiveness in attracting customers to licensed markets. This review could eventually result in a relaxation of regulations to better balance player protection with market sustainability.