Germany has raised the maximum sum online gamblers can stake on every slot machine spin in an attempt to make the legal market more competitive. This comes as the country’s gripes with unlicensed gaming platforms continue.
GGL Raises the Maximum Online Slots Stake for Some Players
Until recently, German players could only wager a maximum of EUR 1 per spin when playing slots online. This hard limit has now been replaced with a new tiered system that will allow many players to wager more while still shielding the most vulnerable among them.
Per the new changes introduced by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), adults above the age of 21 can now wager EUR 3 per spin or even EUR 5 per spin in case they have not exhibited signs of problem gambling in the past 90 days.
At the same time, young adults aged 18 to 21 would still be limited to a maximum of EUR 1 per spin. This is because younger players are considered to be a higher-risk group that does not yet enjoy sufficient financial stability.
Industry stakeholders welcomed the decision, saying that it shows that regulators are gauging the impact of existing regulations and making changes where needed. Experts agreed that the new measure has the potential to improve Germany’s suboptimal channelization rates.
Germany Continues to Face Illegal Gambling Issues
Speaking of channelization, Germany continues to have trouble with illegal gambling. Despite regulators’ best efforts, unlicensed gambling continues to take place and attract German customers.
For reference, the GGL estimates that channelization stands at 77.03%. This means that roughly 23% of all online gambling takes place with unlicensed companies that do not play by the rules and therefore do not always offer sufficient player protections.
While the GGL continues to fight the black market, its regulatory options remain limited. Because of that, the regulator has previously asked lawmakers to join this war on unlicensed online gambling and ensure that German gamblers are shielded from harm.
In other unlicensed gambling news, the GGL slammed popular rapper Vladislav “Capital Bra” Balovatsky with a EUR 250,000 ($292,360) fine due to the rapper’s alleged promotion of illegal gambling platforms. The GGL stated that the fine follows earlier warnings that Capital Bra did not heed.