There is a new GGL president in town. As of July 1, Sandro Kirchner has officially taken over as the new president of Germany’s gambling regulator’s Administrative Council. It’s a huge job and a huge responsibility, so all eyes are on Kirchner as he walks down this new road.
It’s tricky to look a whole year ahead; who knows what things will look like in 2026? However, there seems to be an overarching agreement that more regulations need to be put in place to keep players across Germany safer. Safety is massively important in this industry and online casinos are doing all they can to make sure their security is there every step of the way; however, players and policymakers also need to do their part. Focussing on the latter, this is where Kirchner comes in.
Who Is Sandro Kirchner?
Alright, first things first, a bit of background. Kirchner is from Bavaria’s Ministry of the Interior, where he handled sport and integration. You might think “Hmm, that’s an interesting switch to gambling”; however, his background could prove useful in a field that increasingly touches on issues of public perception, digital policy and cross-border cooperation. The idea of integration is one that is very much at the centre of policymaking for gambling operations in Germany. With technology becoming as big and important as it is today, namely touching on almost every part of every person’s life, it’s clear to see that integration is an important word here.
It’s Time to Crack Down
It’s been way too long since online gambling sites have been able to do what they want. When the move from brick-and-mortar platforms cropped up and online games became the new fad, it was a bit like a wild horse just going about its online journey. However, policy is now in place to ensure that this once wild online establishment has clear lines, boundaries and rules. Regarding Kitchner, it’s clear he sees enforcement as the core mission of the GGL under his leadership.
This doesn’t mean the regulator will ignore licensed operators but the tone is unmistakable, unlicensed activity is the main target. He inherits a structure already making moves in this area, with the GGL having launched over 230 prohibition proceedings in the past year alone. Compared to 133 cases the year before, that’s a clear upward trend. Platforms need to be properly registered with useful features such as free spins no deposit in Germany if they want to thrive in the German market.
Erik King, a specialist on gambling regulations, puts it this way: “Germany’s been playing catch-up since launching its regulated market. Kirchner taking a tough stance on enforcement might be what’s needed to push the black market into a corner. But at the same time, you have to ask, are the rules too tight for licensed operators to actually compete?”
Pressure to Update the Treaty
The bigger picture here includes a growing call to revisit Germany’s current gambling laws. The Fourth Interstate Treaty was a landmark when it went into effect in 2021, introducing a structured framework for online gambling. But only a few years later, cracks are showing.
For example, the €1 betting limit on online slots and a total deposit limit of €1,000 per month across all platforms have sparked debate. Licensed operators argue that restrictions like these leave them at a disadvantage compared to unregulated providers who can offer more flexibility.
Erik King mentions that if Germany plans to remove illegal gambling options, it needs to make sure that the legal platforms are just as enticing and thrilling as the ones being done away with.
Momentum from Past Leadership
Kirchner follows Reiner Moser, whose one-year term helped set the tone for modern digital oversight. Under Moser, the regulator began implementing more technology-driven tools for monitoring digital ads and website activity. The GGL also started exploring IP-based blocking, though that area remains controversial and legally complicated.
During Moser’s leadership, the GGL also gained some international recognition, particularly for increasing transparency and outlining clearer compliance expectations for licensed operators. The question now is whether Kirchner will build on that digital momentum or pivot toward more conservative enforcement tactics.
The Numbers Tell a Mixed Story
On paper, the licensed market is growing. In 2024, gross gambling revenue from regulated operators reached €14.4 billion, a 5% increase year over year. Taxes and levies also rose, hitting €7 billion compared to €6.6 billion the previous year.
At first glance, that’s a win. But there’s still a big elephant in the room: how much of the market is actually being served by licensed providers? Some estimates suggest as much as 50% of gambling activity is still happening through unlicensed channels, which is a scary figure and one that needs to be reduced asap.
A Balancing Act Ahead
At the end of the day, starting a job as big and new to Kirchner as this one is always going to be tricky. However, his predecessors have done an excellent job before him, so there is no doubt that he will also have a positive impact on the market. Erik King speaks about the importance of not only having a policy maker but someone who can also enforce the rules, in a way that suits the players in Germany, which he hopes Kirchner can do.
With Kirchner’s focus on improving regulation, it will be fascinating to see how different the gambling market is in 2026, once Kirchner is done and the reins have been passed on.
