German Regulator Prohibits Gambling Ads Via Live Streamers

German Regulator Bans Gambling Licensing from Advertising via Streamers

A groundbreaking decision is reshaping the landscape of gambling advertising in Germany!

Germany’s GGL has banned gambling ads via live streamers to enhance protection for minors and at-risk players.

Discover the implications of this strict regulation and how it affects the future of gambling advertising.

Stay informed about the latest regulatory changes and their impact on the gambling industry.

German Regulator Bans Gambling Licensing from Advertising via Streamers

Germany’s Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) has taken a decisive step to protect minors and at-risk players by banning gambling advertising via live streamers. This move, announced on July 17, aims to mitigate the risks associated with gambling content being broadcasted to potentially vulnerable audiences.

Comprehensive Ban on Streamer Advertising

In its recent statement, the GGL declared: “The GGL prohibits even licensed gambling providers from regularly advertising via streamers by including a corresponding additional provision [in its rules on player protection].” This stringent measure follows an earlier ruling on July 11 by Germany’s Higher Administrative Court, which supported the GGL’s ban on streamers outside of Germany advertising illegal German gambling sites.

Landmark Court Ruling

The catalyst for this enforcement was a case involving a popular German streamer who used Stake.com-owned Kick to advertise illegal gambling sites. The streamer sought to challenge the GGL’s prohibition order, but the court upheld the ban, emphasizing that the content targeted German-speaking audiences, thus falling under German regulatory jurisdiction.

This ruling follows similar cases where streamers faced severe penalties for promoting illegal gambling sites. Notably, YouTuber and streamer Ron Bielecki was fined €480,000 in 2023 for advertising unlicensed sites on Twitch.

High Risks and Regulatory Justifications

The GGL highlighted that streaming gambling activities showcase them on an emotional level, potentially normalizing such behaviors as everyday occurrences. This is particularly concerning for minors, who are more susceptible to these influences. The GGL noted that streaming poses the highest risk for minors among all forms of gambling advertising.

Supporting this stance, data from the GB Gambling Commission in 2022 revealed that up to 36% of 17- to 18-year-olds and 47% of 11- to 16-year-olds were exposed to gambling streams as their primary form of gambling advertising. These statistics underscore the urgent need for protective measures.

Global Implications and Industry Response

Leading streaming platform Twitch had already taken action in October 2022, banning unregulated gambling sites from its platform following pressure from regulators. Twitch stated: “Starting 18 October, we are further tightening our rules to prohibit any streaming of listed sites that contain slots, roulette, and dice games and are unlicensed in the US or other jurisdictions that offer consumer protections like deposit limits, waiting periods, and age verification systems.”

The GGL’s enforcement aligns with these global efforts to curb unregulated gambling content. GGL board member Ronald Benter commented on the ruling’s significance, stating, “The decision has a signaling effect. In the future, the GGL will take even stronger action against streamers based abroad. This is particularly necessary to protect players and minors due to the special dangers inherent in streaming.”

A spokesperson for the German casino trade body Deutscher Online Casinoverband (DOCV) praised the ruling and the GGL’s increased compliance measures as a success that would challenge foreign streaming services’ ability to operate unregulated content. However, they also acknowledged the ongoing challenge of monitoring and enforcing these rules amid millions of daily streams.

Ongoing Challenges and Legal Setbacks

Despite these regulatory advancements, the black market remains a significant challenge for the regulated gambling sector in Germany. Stakeholders have criticized the GGL’s handling of the unregulated sector, citing various legal setbacks in efforts to improve market channelization. This includes legal challenges to enforce IP blocking rules for illegal operators, which were halted earlier this year.

Conclusion

Germany’s GGL has taken a bold step by banning gambling advertisements via live streamers, aiming to enhance player protection and safeguard minors from the risks associated with gambling content. As the GGL intensifies its regulatory efforts, the industry must adapt to these changes and prioritize compliance to ensure a safer gambling environment. Stay tuned for further updates on these critical regulatory developments and their impact on the gambling landscape.