The Higher Administrative Court of Saxony-Anhalt has ruled that the newly established German gambling regulator, Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), has the power to sanction legal online gambling providers who advertise on gambling affiliate websites that also feature unlicensed online casinos.
The ruling follows the GGL’s recent decision to fine a licensed operator, the first fine issues by the new regulator. According to the announcement, the license holder advertised its services and products on a website that also listed illegal online gambling providers which are not licensed to operate in Germany. This is strictly against advertising regulations.
The court hearing was to confirm that the GGL had interpreted the rules correctly and was within its rights to issue the company with a fine and ban any other licensed gambling operators from advertising in the same way.
According to the GGL announcement:
The Higher Administrative Court determined that affiliates who link illegal games of chance to websites are advertising for illegal games of chance, which is incompatible with the goals of the State Treaty on Games of Chance. Accordingly, the ban is necessary in order not to give the impression that permitted gambling is of equal importance to illegal gambling. The court does not relieve providers of the responsibility to ensure that affiliates only advertise legal gambling.
The court also confirmed that operators are obliged to inform their users of the ‘White List’ of licensed gaming operators while also reminding them of the dangers of excessive gambling. Companies must also create a clear path for users to access provider-independent counseling and therapy.
Alongside the ruling on affiliate websites, the court was also asked to rule on the advertising of free online casino games in German, online poker, and online slots. The court ruled that the ban on this type of advertising is legally binding and will remain in place.
Abenteuer stehen bei Jennifer hoch im Kurs, deshalb kombiniert sie seit vielen Jahren ihre Leidenschaft für Reisen und Outdoor-Aktivitäten mit der beruflichen Chance, die abwechslungsreiche und spannende Welt des iGamings tiefgründig zu erforschen. Mit maximaler Kreativität im Blut geht sie ihrem frühzeitigen Berufswunsch als Online-Redakteurin nach und begeistert sich privat zusätzlich für die Schmuckherstellung. Jennifer ist seit 2025 als Head Autorin für gamblingindustrynews.com aktiv und versorgt Glücksspielenthusiasten mit transparenten Informationen sowie ehrlichen Erfahrungen.
