With 10+ years in tech, crypto, gaming, and finance, Raz has written across a multitude of platforms, covering both crypto and gambling news. He specializes in content on iGaming, sports betting, and crypto trends, particularly...
Read Full BioThe German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) has welcomed the new government’s early efforts to tackle illegal gambling.
The incoming government set a series of ambitious goals, outlined in the coalition agreement penned on 9 April. The 146-page document covers several issues: the economy, industry, jobs, transport and infrastructure, education, innovation, research, and healthcare.
It also proposes taking more decisive action against illegal gambling. While the passage touching upon the issue was described as “vague” in terms of formulation, the DSWV is still pleased to see that it is under consideration.
In response, the Association has submitted its own concrete proposals for action, detailing how to improve enforcement at the top level, alongside the federal states.
DSWV Proposes Five Measures to Curb Unregulated Operators
The German Sports Betting Association proposes five measures against illegal gambling.
The first is strengthening the competitiveness of legal gambling providers in order to compete with illegal ones. The premise is to allow legal providers to offer sufficiently attractive products, so German customers need not seek unregulated alternatives.
The second proposed measure is establishing a nationwide specialized public prosecutor’s office. The proposed office would be a special investigative authority with time and resources dedicated to tackling illegal online gambling. The DSWV believes this is crucial, as legal proceedings have failed due to jurisdictional issues.
Thirdly, the DSWV recommends the “follow the money” approach. This aims to track money flows, including crypto and fiat, to help identify and potentially locate bad actors.
The DSWV also believes that bad actors’ tools—particularly advertising platforms and affiliate networks—must be made more accountable. The hope is that these companies will put greater effort into preventing illegal operators from using their platforms if they themselves may be penalized for doing so.
Finally, the DSWV suggests harmonizing European regulation. With each EU member country having its own laws, enforcing them on an international level is difficult. The Association believes that Germany should push for uniform standards at the EU level, unlocking cross-border enforcement opportunities.
New Government Must Take Action
While the new government has shown that it is ready to take responsibility, the DSWV has urged it to take further action and translate its coalition agreement into a concrete action plan.
It believes that federal states should try to strengthen legal gambling by reducing the accompanying bureaucracy, making a more competitive tax framework, and allowing legal gambling providers to become more visible.
The DSWV has encouraged the government to enter dialogue with federal states and legal gambling providers to make the gambling market in Germany fair and safe, as it believes this is the most effective method of curbing illegal gambling.
