GGL Clarifies Social Betting Rules In Germany

Germany’s Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) has expanded its public guidance on social betting and prediction markets with a new FAQ section addressing their legal status.

The regulator states that wagers concerning social, political, economic or other events cannot be permitted under German gambling law. People who participate in such betting activities from Germany may face criminal consequences. Organising or brokering these offers can also constitute a criminal offence.

The GGL says authorities must assess each offer according to its actual structure and availability. A platform that effectively prevents people in Germany from accessing and participating in its betting products does not automatically amount to an illegal gambling service within the country.

New Guidance Addresses Prediction Markets

The FAQ responds to questions regularly received from consumers, journalists and other interested parties. It explains what constitutes social betting, which forms of betting German law allows, why social betting remains outside the permitted framework and what risks users face when they participate.

The regulator also outlines measures it can take against unauthorised corporate betting offers. Its information campaign forms part of the GGL’s statutory focus on education and prevention.

The authority has also clarified how media organisations can discuss social betting and prediction markets. Journalists may generally report on developments and forecasts involving these markets. However, the GGL says coverage should make clear to readers that social betting is prohibited in Germany and that people in Germany cannot participate.

Operators Face Market-Access Restrictions

The GGL’s position also places importance on how an individual service operates in practice. Accessibility for German users and whether the platform enables participation from Germany remain relevant when regulators assess an offer.

The wider European regulatory environment has also seen increased scrutiny of prediction markets. In June, gambling regulators from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland issued a joint warning that prediction markets must meet the licensing and regulatory requirements applicable in each jurisdiction.

France subsequently ordered internet providers to block Polymarket after previous measures, including transaction restrictions and geoblocking, failed to prevent access by French users. The Netherlands has also taken enforcement action, while European financial regulators have examined whether some event contracts could fall under rules applying to binary options.

Germany has faced similar enforcement challenges. Earlier this year, some election-related markets remained visible to users even while payment-level restrictions limited participation from Germany. The GGL has identified IP blocking and payment blocking among tools available against illegal operators.

Unregulated Gambling Remains A Wider Concern

The regulator’s approach comes against a broader concern over the size of Germany’s unlicensed online gambling market. A study commissioned by the GGL estimated that licensed operators accounted for 77.03% of German online gambling spending in 2024, while unregulated providers represented 22.97%, equivalent to about €547 million.

The authority’s latest FAQ therefore gives consumers a clearer explanation of the consequences attached to participating in social betting from Germany. Its guidance also distinguishes between reporting on prediction markets and actually taking part in wagers covered by the country’s gambling restrictions.

Source:

“GGL provides information on the legal risks of corporate betting and prediction markets”, gluecksspiel-behoerde.de, August 13, 2026