Germany Urged to Appoint Gambling Prosecutor

Germany’s illegal gambling market is booming — and regulators are falling behind. The country’s leading sports betting association, DSWV, has issued a call for urgent government action, starting with the appointment of a specialized gambling prosecutor. With international operators bypassing weak enforcement, and legal offerings struggling to compete, the DSWV wants targeted reforms that balance regulation with market competitiveness. The group urges Germany’s new federal coalition to back its anti-illegal gambling pledge with concrete, enforceable measures — before the black market gains further ground.

DSWV Demands Gambling Prosecutor as Germany Struggles to Tackle Illegal Betting Surge

3 Key Points:

1. DSWV calls for a national gambling prosecutor to improve enforcement against illegal operators.
2. The association wants stronger support for the legal market to outcompete black market alternatives.
3. A harmonized EU gambling framework could enable better cross-border enforcement and regulation.

Germany’s sports betting industry is sounding the alarm. The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) is calling on the federal government to follow through on its promise to combat illegal gambling by appointing a specialized prosecutor and bolstering the country’s legal gambling framework.

While Germany’s new CDU/CSU and SPD-led coalition included a line in its agreement vowing to fight black market gambling, the DSWV argues that words alone are not enough. In a public statement, the association welcomed the inclusion as an “important signal” but criticized the lack of specificity.

“Good intentions must be turned into effective policy,” the DSWV said, adding that it will submit concrete proposals to federal and state authorities.

Why the Legal Market Must Be Strengthened

At the heart of DSWV’s campaign is a call to strengthen the legal market so it can compete directly with unlicensed operators. The association warns that strict regulations, coupled with product limitations, are making legal platforms less attractive to consumers.

“A strong legal market is the best defense against a growing black market,” the DSWV stated.

Operators licensed under Germany’s Interstate Gambling Treaty (GlüNeuRStV) have faced challenges — from low betting limits to high taxes and burdensome licensing requirements — that illegal providers simply bypass.

Without meaningful changes, the DSWV warns, licensed sportsbooks will continue to lose ground to foreign operators offering better odds, unrestricted markets, and aggressive promotions.

A Call for a Specialized Gambling Prosecutor

One of the DSWV’s primary recommendations is the creation of a centralized public prosecutor’s office focused solely on illegal gambling. Current enforcement is fragmented, with jurisdictional boundaries and limited resources hampering investigations.

A dedicated authority would allow German regulators to coordinate efforts nationally, target foreign websites, and close legal loopholes that currently allow offshore platforms to operate unchecked.

Following the Money: Financial Tools and Crypto Tracking

The DSWV also proposes a “follow the money” approach, using existing tax and anti-money laundering laws to trace illegal betting revenues — including cryptocurrency transactions. Financial regulators and tax authorities, the association argues, must work together to dismantle the infrastructure supporting illegal networks.

This strategy echoes broader trends across Europe, where financial surveillance is increasingly used to combat online gambling fraud, match-fixing, and offshore betting.

Platforms, Advertising, and Accountability

The DSWV notes that digital platforms and affiliate marketing networks are also complicit in promoting unlicensed sites. With the recent implementation of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), new tools are available to enforce content restrictions and demand the removal of illegal advertising.

The association believes these platforms must face greater accountability for hosting or promoting illegal operators, especially when user targeting is involved.

A Call for EU-Wide Regulation

Finally, the DSWV criticizes Europe’s gambling regulatory environment as a “patchwork of rules.” It argues that without harmonized EU-wide standards, cross-border enforcement remains difficult and inefficient.

With the next review of Germany’s Interstate Gambling Treaty approaching, the DSWV is urging lawmakers to seize the moment — simplify tax structures, cut red tape, and help licensed operators thrive.

The DSWV’s demands highlight growing frustration within Germany’s legal betting sector. Without a serious crackdown on illegal platforms and real investment in the licensed market, the country risks losing control of its gambling ecosystem. A specialized prosecutor, financial tracking, platform accountability, and better regulation could be the tools Germany needs to reclaim its market. But the time for action is now — or the black market will continue to thrive unchecked.