SPORTS BETTING
DSWV warns about the increasing growth of the black market for sports betting
By Phil - 17 June 2024
In its latest annual press conference, the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) issued an urgent warning about the increasing growth of the black market for sports betting.
This warning is based on worrying developments in 2023, which saw a significant decline in deployments by legal providers to 7.72 billion euros. This decline is partly attributed to the migration of players to illegal betting sites, which are becoming increasingly popular due to less strict regulations and more attractive offers.
The DSWV stated: “The reasons for the increasing attractiveness of the black market are manifold. On the one hand, illegal providers often offer higher betting odds and more attractive bonuses, on the other hand, the existing legal framework in Germany acts as an obstacle to the legal market. Current regulations, including high tax burdens and strict advertising restrictions, make it difficult for legal operators to remain competitive and maintain their market share.”
“The DSWV therefore calls for a comprehensive realignment of the regulation of the sports betting market in Germany. The aim is to create a more competitive framework that both ensures player protection and strengthens the legal market. The association’s specific demands on the Joint Gambling Authority of the Länder (GGL) include a relaxation of advertising restrictions, with a special focus on the upcoming European Football Championship, in order to make it easier for legal providers to reach their target groups and appear more attractive to illegal providers. In addition, the DSWV calls for a comprehensive, nationwide study on the problem of gambling addiction with the intention of collecting well-founded data that can contribute to the development of effective prevention measures.”
