Gambling regulators from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have agreed to strengthen cross-border cooperation against illegal online gambling following a meeting in Bern.
The annual DACHL meeting focused on the increasingly international structure of illegal gambling markets and the need for regulators to exchange information on operators, supporting businesses and emerging business models.
Germany’s Gambling Authority (GGL) said illegal gambling is increasingly organised through interconnected ecosystems rather than individual operators.
These can include game studios, aggregators, platform operators and technical service providers, all of which may become targets of regulatory action.
The GGL has therefore adopted a more coordinated approach across its departments, aiming to increase the impact of enforcement measures and address illegal gambling ecosystems more comprehensively.
The authorities also discussed the role of licensed gambling operators in tackling illegal offerings. The GGL previously called for greater involvement from legal market participants and the approach was revisited during the Bern meeting.
Recent European Court of Justice decisions were another focus, with the GGL sharing its experience of rulings concerning member states’ ability to regulate online gambling, direct consumers towards controlled gambling environments and pursue unauthorised offerings.
New business models were discussed through the example of prediction markets, with authorities exchanging information on their development, national experiences and questions around regulatory classification. The GGL has recently warned that social betting and prediction markets are illegal, emphasising that participation in such activities can constitute a criminal offence.
The four authorities said they intend to continue their regular cooperation, particularly on illegal online gambling, emerging business models and cross-border information sharing.
The regulators also examined the civil-law consequences of illegal gambling and how European case law may affect enforcement across their respective jurisdictions
