The German gambling regulator, Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), has published its quarterly results for cross-border games of chance for the first time, ushering in a new era of fairness. The gambling watchdog aims to ensure greater transparency in the country’s legal gambling sector and keep stakeholders, policymakers, and the general public updated on the latest market developments.
GGL Publishes Quarterly Gambling Stakes for the First Time: Key Figures
- The figures cover the first and second quarters of 2025, and underline the total amount wagered by German gamblers during the period. The sectors include sports betting online, virtual slot games, lotteries, and online poker.
- The publication aims to improve transparency in the gambling sector by posting data regularly. This is part of the government’s broader effort to reform gambling laws and update industry regulations to align with global standards.
- Total gambling and betting revenue in Q2 2025 amounted to €3.22 billion, an 8.27% drop compared to the first quarter. Sports betting revenue declined by 13.5%, online bets were down 12.7%, and online poker spend fell by 9.8%. However, revenue from horse racing jumped 28% and virtual slot wagers increased by 1.6%.
GGL Intends to “Ensure More Transparency” with Quarterly Market Reports
From August 2025, the GGL will begin to regularly publish the quarterly stakes of cross-border games of chance, as confirmed in the regulator’s official press release. The gambling watchdog explained that this decision will help ensure greater transparency in the legal iGaming sector and keep the public and lawmakers informed about the latest developments.
“The publication is intended to contribute to the fact- and evidence-based discussion as well as to the evaluation of the GlüStV 2021,” the regulator noted. The announcement comes right on the heels of Sandro Kirchner, State Secretary in the Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior for Sport and Integration, taking over the chairmanship of the GGL.
As Germany prepares to review updated gambling regulations in 2026, Germany’s state interior ministers are rallying to introduce strict enforcement tools, including IP blocking, deposit limits, and content filtration. Data transparency will enable political decision-makers to track industry patterns and plan strategic action, as necessary.
Q2 Gambling Figures Trail Q1 Revenue
According to the GGL Market Monitor’s quarterly insights, the total gambling stakes in Q2 amounted to €3.216 million compared to €3.506 million in the first quarter, an 8.27% decline. Sports betting, online poker, and lotteries were the major sectors responsible for the fall.
Total sports betting revenue in Q1 2025 was €2.179 million and €1.885 million in the second quarter. Of this, stationary sports betting accounted for €585 million in Q1 compared to €494 million in Q2. Online sports betting revenue amounted to €1,594 million and €1,391 million, respectively, during the two consecutive quarters.
Online poker generated €204 million in the first quarter and €184 million in Q2. The two sectors posting positive figures were virtual slot games and online horse betting. Virtual slot games generated €1.098 million in Q1 and €1.115 million in Q2. Horse betting on the internet posted €25 million in Q1 and €32 million in Q2 2025.
The total stakes of cross-border lotteries fell from €377 million in Q1 to €371 million in Q2 2025. Class lotteries generated €61 million and €58 million, respectively, during the two consecutive quarters, while social lotteries generated €315 million and €313 million, respectively, during the same period. The commercial gaming brokerage was €243 million and €240 million, respectively.