GGL Annual Report 2025: Record Revenues Despite Stricter Regulation

The GGL's 2025 annual report reveals surprisingly positive figures for the regulated German online gambling market: The legal online gambling market in Germany grew by 18% to €3.2 billion in gross gaming revenue. This makes the regulated sector the fastest-growing European market segment in the same period. In its report, the GGL speaks of a "turning point" that makes the successes of the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling clearly measurable for the first time.

Broken down by segment, virtual slot games (slots) dominate with a 67% share of total revenue, followed by online sports betting (24%), online poker (7%), and virtual table games (2%). The market leaders in the slots segment are the providers JackpotPiraten (Gauselmann Group), OnlineCasino DE, bwin Casino (Entain), and LeoVegas DE — together, these four providers cover around 45% of the regulated German slots market. Tipico Games and Merkur Slots follow at a significant distance in 5th and 6th place.

However, one thing is also clear: the black market is shrinking only slowly. The GGL estimates that around 25% of all wagers are still placed on unlicensed platforms — a figure that is causing increasing political debate. In the previous year, this share was still at 32%, so the decline is measurable but slow. According to the GGL's assessment, the main reasons for this are, on the one hand, the strict LUGAS and OASIS regulations, which cause some "high-stake players" to switch to other options, and on the other, the lack of consistent prosecution of illegal providers based in other EU countries.

From a player protection perspective, the report shows clear progress. The number of active OASIS blocks increased from 297,000 (end of 2024) to 362,000 (end of 2025) — an increase of 22%. The number of LUGAS limit locks (players who reach the cross-provider €1,000 monthly limit) also rose to an average of 24,500 per month. Both indicators are interpreted positively by the GGL: more active blocks signify a more effective protection system, not a growing addiction problem.

For players, this means the selection of licensed, secure casinos is constantly growing, and competitive dynamics are leading to better bonus offers and fairer conditions. While only around 30 GGL-licensed providers were active in 2022, there are already 58 by the end of 2025. The range extends from established brands like OnlineCasino DE (active in Germany since 2012) and industry giants like LeoVegas and Entain to newer specialist providers such as Wunderino, DrückGlück, and Mywin24.

On the tax side, the German treasury is benefiting significantly. The 5.3% gambling tax on gross stakes (not winnings!) brought in over €1.1 billion to public coffers for the first time in 2025 — an increase of 21% compared to the previous year. However, criticism from the industry has been pouring in for months: the German tax is by far the highest in Europe and is considered one of the main reasons for the unusually high house edges in German slots (RTP values between 95.5% and a maximum of 96.7%, compared to 96.5–98% in most EU countries).

Politically, the report should primarily be seen as a source of arguments for the upcoming reform of the State Treaty on Gambling. Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse are advocating for moderate liberalization — particularly regarding LUGAS limits and advertising regulations — to further push back the black market. Berlin, Bremen, and Hamburg, on the other hand, are demanding stricter measures, such as lowering the monthly limit to €500. A political agreement is expected in the second half of 2026. Until then, the current framework remains unchanged — and players should continue to play exclusively with GGL-licensed providers to enjoy full legal protection.