Germany’s Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) has taken a significant shift when it comes to stake limits for slots players.
In a loosening of a framework that was previously considered one of the tightest in Europe, limits were raised to €5.
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.
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, a GGL commissioned a study outlined a 17% increase in the size of the black market, with it now reaching a GGR of €547m, however, the GGL stood firm in adjusting its policy.
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.”