The German Federal Gambling Authority (GGL) has released its first quarterly data for the regulated gambling market, covering state-controlled lotteries, charity lotteries, and so-called "transnational high-risk gambling games," including online slots and sports betting.
The data shows that the total lottery betting amount in the first quarter was 377 million euros, slightly decreasing to 371 million euros in the second quarter. State-owned lottery bets were 61 million euros and 58 million euros respectively, while charity lotteries were 315 million euros and 313 million euros.
In terms of high-risk games, online slots betting was 1 billion euros in the first quarter, increasing to 1.1 billion euros in the second quarter; online poker was 204 million euros and 184 million euros respectively; online horse racing was 25 million euros and 32 million euros.
Sports betting remains the largest vertical sector, with online sports betting at 1.6 billion euros in the first quarter and 1.4 billion euros in the second quarter; retail sports betting was 585 million euros and 494 million euros, with total betting amounts of 2.1 billion euros and 1.9 billion euros respectively.
GGL stated that the new requirements for quarterly equity data will enhance market transparency, helping policymakers, stakeholders, and the public understand market dynamics. Previously, regulatory data had been criticized for underestimating the scale of the black market, with a 2023 study by the University of Leipzig showing that about half of the betting in the German gambling industry is completed through licensed operators.
