Germany's national gambling regulator, GGL, is launching its new Gambling Market Monitor, a quarterly reporting initiative designed to bring transparency to the country’s cross-border online gambling market. Starting August 2025, licensed operators must submit data on betting activity directly to the regulator, which will publicly disclose landscape shifts by category every quarter.

Q2 2025 Snapshot: Sports Betting Slumps

The inaugural data reveals a sharp 13.5% decline in total sports betting stakes—from €2.18 billion in Q1 to €1.89 billion in Q2. Land-based betting saw a steeper fall of 15.6%, while online stakes also dropped significantly by 12.7%. This overall contraction contributed to an 8.3% decline in total cross-border gaming activity (to €3.22 billion).

Mixed Trends in Other Gaming Segments

Not all verticals mirrored the sports downturn. Virtual slot game stakes rose slightly by 1.5%, while online horse betting experienced robust growth of 28%. Conversely, online poker activity dipped nearly 10%.

Purpose and Significance of the Monitor

This new reporting framework is intended to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and the public, encouraging evidence-based discussion on regulation, market health, and potential reforms. It also aims to enhance data clarity around regulated vs illegal activity as Germany prepares upcoming evaluations of its gaming laws.

Sources: Gambling Insider, Next.io