GGL Appoints New Chairman as Germany Targets Unlicensed Gaming Operations
The German gambling regulator GGL has appointed Sandro Kirchner as its new chairman, replacing Reiner Moser after a year of strengthened enforcement activity. Kirchner assumes leadership as the authority faces mounting pressure to address persistent challenges from unlicensed operators in Germany’s evolving online gambling market.
New Leadership Priorities
Kirchner’s appointment comes with stated priorities focused on enforcement against unlicensed gambling providers and enhanced consumer protection. His approach aligns with broader political objectives to strengthen Germany’s digital oversight architecture against unauthorized market participants while maintaining the legitimacy of licensed platforms.
Additional enforcement measures included blocking 657 platforms via geo-restrictions enabled by the EU’s Digital Services Act. The GGL also disrupted financial transactions to hinder unlicensed operators’ payment flows. These enforcement actions represent a systematic approach to market supervision that Kirchner inherits as the new chairman.
2024 Activity Report Highlights
The GGL’s 2024 activities included the implementation of Markers of Harm, indicators designed to identify early signs of problematic gambling behavior among players. The Mainz Administrative Court upheld the legality of these measures during 2024, establishing a legal precedent for standardized player protection mechanisms across Germany.
Despite enforcement efforts, estimates of unlicensed market activity remain contentious. The GGL places the share of unauthorized gambling at 25% of the online market, while licensed operators argue the actual figure may be significantly higher. A 2023 study commissioned by the DOCV and DSWV found that only slightly more than 50% of gambling activity was directed through licensed channels, highlighting ongoing challenges in measuring regulatory impact.