The Commission is suggesting that it should receive the authority for a comprehensive review of its own proposals.
In a bid to combat the growing issue of illegal gambling, Burkhard Blienert, the Federal Government's Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues, has been vocal about the need for stricter regulations and tougher measures.
At a recent event titled "Illegal Slot Machines: No Regard for Losses," Blienert called for "tough measures" against illegal gambling operators. He highlighted that around a hundred people from business, research, and politics attended the meeting to discuss the challenges of legal gambling.
Blienert has been a strong advocate for the ban on sports betting during the 2024 European Championship and the introduction of a whitelist of licensed gambling providers and a register of all legal slot machines. He believes that more controls and harsher penalties would put more pressure on illegal gambling providers.
The commissioner described gambling as a "serious social problem" and criticized the current controls as not yet efficient enough. He suggested that it's necessary to consider decriminalizing problem gamblers.
According to studies, every third gambling machine in Germany is illegal or manipulated, and almost half of the gambling machine turnover in the country comes from illegal or manipulated machines. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of Blienert's proposals.
The German government's approach aligns with strengthening regulatory oversight and updating the regulatory framework, particularly the Interstate Treaty on Gambling. Measures include tougher monitoring of illegal operators, restrictions on advertising, and cooperation with European and international regulators to address cross-border gambling challenges.
Sandro Kirchner, the president of the German gambling regulator (GGL), has signaled intent to strengthen oversight of illegal gambling and called for a review and update of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling before 2026. The GGL's actions in 2024 have already led to hundreds of illegal operators and advertisers ceasing activities.
However, it remains unclear whether Blienert's initiatives will be followed up by politics and how quickly effective laws and measures can be implemented. The fight against illegal gambling is a complex one, but with the commitment of government officials like Blienert, there is hope for a safer and more regulated gambling environment in Germany.
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Online casinos in Germany need to be regulated more strictly, as suggested by Burkhard Blienert, the Federal Government's Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues. Despite the recent efforts by the German gambling regulator (GGL) to combat illegal gambling, policy-and-legislation changes are necessary to address this growing problem, as highlighted in general-news and crime-and-justice sectors.
