The German gambling authority, Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) has confirmed the need for additional research into gambling and the importance of research frameworks, and funding at the 20th Symposium on Gambling at the University of Hohenheim. 

At the symposium, the GGL presented its research that had already been commissioned, with an estimated cost of €1.39m ($1.48m). These studies will allow the GGL to continue delivering on its mission to provide evidence-based regulation to gaming in Germany. Board Member Ronald Benter spoke about the GGL’s approach to research, which utilises independent experts to ensure scientific study, design and methodologies while covering a wide range of topics.  

Said Benter: "Scientific findings are the basis of political and social debates. The need for further regulation must be based on facts and figures. An essential part of our tasks as a regulatory authority is therefore the promotion and initiation of gambling research. Despite the comparatively short existence of our authority, we have already achieved a lot in this area."   

Other areas of discussion during the symposium included the impact of the black market – an area affecting several areas in Europe where certain types of gaming are unregulated, such as online casinos in France. The GGL intends to study the black market following the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 and how players have been redirected toward legal gaming options.  

Wrapping up the event, Benter spoke in a panel regarding the need for collaboration and open communication in the study of gambling, saying: "We listen to everyone's points of view and interests before we make our decisions." 

Other authorities in Europe have also made headlines this week. Denmark’s Spillemyndigheden released its 2023 gambling data, with the nation's gross gaming revenue (GGR) at DDK 10.3bn (US$1.48bn).

The KSA in the Netherlands made two appearances this week, imposing a penalty and binding instruction to Casbit Group and DigitalOcean respectively for breaches regarding the promotion of illegal gaming.