The federal government’s specialist for addiction and narcotics, Hendrik Streeck (CDU), believes that illegal gambling offerings in Germany are much more widespread than currently known. The illegal online gambling market in Germany is likely significantly larger than previously assumed, the physician and CDU politician told Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (Saturday editions).
Streeck refers to investigations by the Frankfurt am Main public prosecutor’s office against operators of a gambling platform not licensed in Germany. According to these investigations, betting placements from Germany alone amounted to approximately 6 billion euros within three years. The narcotics specialist stated that they must assume that what is currently seen is only a fraction of the reality.
As a result, Streeck demands a much stricter approach against illegal providers. He criticized that action has been insufficiently decisive on this issue for too long. He argued that reviewing criminal law, improving investigative capabilities regarding offerings from abroad, consistently prosecuting organized criminal structures, and establishing specialized specialized prosecutors’ offices are necessary. He stressed that it cannot be allowed for illegal providers to generate billions in turnover while the rule of law faces limitations in their pursuit.
During a search in September, investigators confiscated assets valued at 82 million euros, including luxury cars, condominiums, and bank accounts. According to current findings, the tax damage for a single year alone exceeds 77 million euros.
The German supervisory authority, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), currently assumes that around 23 percent of online gambling takes place illegally. The size of the illegal German gambling market has been reported for 2024 as 547 million euros. This figure is an estimate based on a scientific study commissioned by the GGL through an independent institute. Representatives of the legal providers have already criticized this number as too low, suspecting a significantly larger black market share.
