Only 15% of German players specifically looked for a legal, regulated online casino, iGaming.com CEO Andreas Ditsche said at SBC Summit Lisbon. Most players choose by bonus, limits, convenience or brand.
Key figures on Germany's legal and illegal market (chart labels in Russian)
Why players go unlicensed
No betting limits, no taxes, less personal data and low perceived enforcement risk. Flutter's Hayley Doherty called for enforcement, not just more rules; Immense Group's Jesper Karrbrink said "Advertising can never protect players."
Germany's black market
A GGL-commissioned Blockchain Research Lab study estimates €547M in illegal GGR for 2024; about 20.3% of providers used by respondents are unlicensed; 73% of licensed-only players consider licensing vs 14% of illegal-only players.
For affiliates
Licensing alone is not a selling point; GEOs differ; promote only GGL-licensed brands in Germany.
Sources: European Gaming, Blockchain Research Lab. 18+.