Problems of the German Online Gambling System: Playing with Laws
Germany faces a serious problem in the field of online gambling, where both legal and illegal operators find ways to bypass laws, while state authorities fail to ensure proper control. The journal Investigate Europe has accused German authorities of insufficient efforts to combat this phenomenon, despite existing legislative measures. Many companies continue to operate outside the rules, harming players and exacerbating issues related to gambling addiction.
Deposit Limit Bypass Scheme
One of the most discussed topics is the use of a scheme by players to increase deposit limits. According to new regulations established under the State Treaty on Gambling Regulation (GlüNeuRStV), the monthly deposit limit is capped at €1,000. However, due to hidden agreements between German federal states and gambling operators, this restriction can be circumvented.
Operators such as Tipico offer players the option to increase their limit to €10,000 using the Schufa-G system, which assesses financial capability based on credit history data.
This scheme has allowed approximately 300,000 players to bypass the restrictions, despite the obvious financial risks.
| Limit | Standard | Using the Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Deposit | €1,000 | €10,000 |
Impact on Players and Social Consequences
With such rule-bypassing, the problem of gambling addiction in Germany is only worsening. The journal Investigate Europe reports that the number of people suffering from gambling addiction continues to grow. In 2023, more than 1.3 million people were registered for whom gambling became a serious issue.
Gernot Martens’ Story
- Started with small bets on sports events.
- Lost all his savings.
- Took out loans amounting to over €50,000.
- Tried to recover his money but faced violations of limits.
Violations and Lack of Control
Despite strict laws, the player protection system in Germany shows significant gaps. The problem lies not only in the illegal activities of foreign operators but also in agreements with legal companies.
Prospects and Challenges for Reform
German authorities recognize the seriousness of the situation; however, legislative reform faces resistance from gambling operators.
Conclusion
The situation with online gambling in Germany highlights the importance of effective market regulation and protecting players from potential financial losses.