Critics, including GGL and DSWV, speak out against the rumored confidentiality agreement aiming to elevate gambling deposit limits.
Unveiling the Myth of the Secret Agreement: Gaming Authorities Face Allegations
By Timm Schaffner(Edited by Angela Burke)(Published on: 10.03.2025. Updated on: 30.04.2025.)
Gaming Authorities Stand Firm Against Falsified Claims
Doubts arise over a supposed covert agreement between federal states and gambling providers aimed at evading deposit limits, enabling higher limits through a Schufa-G inquiry without providing detailed proof of income or assets. However, the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GGL) and the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) reject these allegations, denouncing them as unfounded.
GGL: Schufa-G Query, a Legitimate Player Assessment Tool
In response to the controversy, the GGL asserts that the Schufa-G inquiry is a permissible means to evaluate the financial capacity of players, acting in the players' interest by granting higher deposit limits exclusively to financially capable individuals. The GGL maintains that the regulations have been compliant with the State Gaming Treaty since their implementation.
DSWV: Pull Back the Curtain on Sensationalism
Despite the widespread fear of a secret agreement, the DSWV reminds us that the Schufa-G procedure is a matter of public record, having been subject to a court settlement decades ago. The association regards the portrayal of this agreement as baseless and emphasizes that prior evaluations confirm the regulations' effectiveness.
The Misleading Statistic of Gambling Addicts in Germany
Repeated mentions of a statistic suggesting 1.3 million gambling addicts in Germany have permeated the public discourse. The DSWV, however, questions this statistic's credibility, citing the methodological flaws inherent in its collection and the criticism it received in the past.
GGL: Court Decisions Guide Our Actions
The GGL standards continue to evolve through regular reviews, with the possibility of new guidelines on Schufa-G queries implementation. The authority's focus on aligning its procedures with current court rulings suggests a cautious approach to assuring the validity of the Schufa-G query.
Is the Saxony-Anhalt Decision Enough?
The Higher Administrative Court of Saxony-Anhalt previously discredited the Schufa-G query in its ruling in December 2024. The authority based in the same federal state chooses not to reconsider its stance based on this decision, casting doubt on its commitment to adhering to court rulings.
Context and Background
- GGL: The Joint Gaming Authority of the States plays a pivotal role in regulating and supervising gaming activities in Germany.
- DSWV: The German Sports Betting Association represents the interests of sports betting operators in Germany, advocating for adjustable regulations balancing consumer protection with commercial viability.
- Schufa: A major German credit agency, Schufa collects and analyzes consumer credit data, potentially influencing decisions about deposit limits in online gambling through financial reliability assessments.
- What is the nature of the allegations against gaming authorities and gambling providers regarding deposit limits and Schufa-G queries?
- The Gaming and Wagering Commission (GGL) insists that Schufa-G inquiries are legitimate tools for assessing player financial capacity in the interest of players.
- The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) argues that the Schufa-G procedure was subject to a court settlement long ago, dismissing portrayals of a secret agreement as baseless.
- The questionable statistic of 1.3 million gambling addicts in Germany has occupied the public discourse, but the DSWV contests its credibility due to methodological flaws.
- In response to controversies, the GGL continues to adapt its standards, including Schufa-G queries, to align with current court rulings.
- The Higher Administrative Court of Saxony-Anhalt has discredited the Schufa-G query, causing doubt about the commitment of authorities in the same federal state to abide by court rulings.
- The domain of gambling extends beyond casinos and gambling games to include lotteries, gambling trends, casino personalities, sports, and sports betting.
