The Joint Gambling Authority of the Länder (GGL), the German Gambling Authority, has published the results of a study regarding the black market.
The study, titled “An Investigation of the Black Market and the Channelling of Gambling on the Internet Based on a Survey of Gamblers”, found that Germany has an online gambling channelisation rate of 77.03%.
This confirms the GGL’s previous findings on the matter and refutes the 2023 Schnabl Study, commissioned by the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV), which found a channelisation rate of 50.7%.
To complete this new study, the GGL and Blockchain Research Lab gGmbH created a reference value-based analysis as part of its scientific assessment of the illegal gambling market.
Ronald Benter, GGL CEO, said: "The scientifically calculated channelisation rate confirms our previous assumptions about the size of the black market.
"The results support the approach of fact-based regulation within the framework of the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling."
In comparison, Iceland has a 20% channelisation rate, the Netherlands sits at 49%, Sweden is somewhere between 74% and 85%, while the UK is currently around 93% channelisation.
Benter continued: "We are in contact with the states about the extent to which the results of this study may necessitate adjustments to the legal requirements necessary.
"In addition, the results of the current study on player protection on the Internet remain to be seen.
"Our measures will also be reflected in market shares in the medium term. However, the fight against illegal online gambling is a marathon, not a sprint."
During Safer Gambling Week, experts from across Europe debated whether greater legal consequences could drive increased channelisation.
The results were published as part of the 23rd Symposium on Gambling of the Gambling Research Center of the University of Hohenheim
