Germany’s Joint Gambling Authority of the Länder (GGL) used the ICE Barcelona trade fair (19–21 January 2026) to call on licensed operators to play a bigger part in curbing unlicensed online gambling. Through conference presentations and roundtables, the regulator laid out a coordinated enforcement plan—prohibition orders, payment and IP blocking, and advertising controls—and said cooperation across the gambling supply chain is essential to keep the regulated market stable.
Regulator’s message in Barcelona
The GGL said its participation at ICE Barcelona focused on exchanging information with European regulators and industry representatives about current market issues and enforcement practices. At the “Gaming in Germany Breakfast,” department head Nadja Wierzejewski outlined the authority’s approach to suppressing the illegal online market and stressed that industry engagement is critical to the effectiveness of state measures.
Enforcement focus and tools
The GGL says it is using a coordinated package meant to pressure unlicensed operators and those who enable them. The regulator listed the following measures:
- Prohibition orders against unlicensed operators that target German consumers
- Payment blocking to disrupt financial flows to illegal sites
- IP or domain blocking to limit access to illicit offerings
- Advertising restrictions and takedowns for promotions that target or benefit illegal gambling
- Action along the value chain, including steps against entities that support unlicensed activity (such as affiliates, payment intermediaries, hosting and technology providers)
The authority views these actions as mutually reinforcing. The goal: cut the visibility, accessibility, and financial viability of illegal operators.
Licensed operators’ role and supply-chain accountability
The GGL urged licensed operators to make fuller use of their “room for maneuver” to limit illegal offers. Legal providers, it argued, have market knowledge, leverage over vendors, and direct relationships with service providers that can amplify enforcement. In practice, that means higher expectations around choosing business partners, overseeing affiliates, placing ads responsibly, and stepping back from any services that intersect with unlicensed activity.
For the market, this points to more emphasis on supply-chain due diligence and a clearer line between licensed and unlicensed ecosystems. Affiliates, media owners, ad networks, and payment companies connected to Germany’s regulated sector may see closer scrutiny of their partner lists and traffic sources as regulators and operators look to reduce leakage to the black market.
Context for Germany’s regulated online market
The GGL’s stance reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen Germany’s regulated framework by improving channelization—steering players toward licensed offerings—and cutting the incentives and infrastructure that support unlicensed sites. By targeting advertising pathways and payment access as well as primary operators, the authority is aligning with a wider regulatory shift that treats the gambling supply chain as a key point of intervention, not just the operators themselves.
Conclusion
At ICE Barcelona, Germany’s GGL reiterated its coordinated enforcement model against unlicensed online gambling and pressed licensed operators to back it up through stronger partner selection and a clearer separation from illegal offers. The focus on payments, IP access, advertising, and supply-chain accountability points to continued pressure on intermediaries, with the stated aim of supporting a stable and sustainable regulated market.