Intense Critique of the Gambling Survey 2023: Sector and Academia Question Study Approach
The Institute for Interdisciplinary Substance Use and Addiction Research (ISDA) and the Gambling Research Unit of the University of Bremen revealed the outcomes of the Gambling Survey 2024 at a press conference on March 11, 2025, despite intense criticism of the previous study's methodology. No modifications were made to the research framework.
Slightly Stagnant Results
In the official press release, the researchers noted that German gambling habits have largely remained unchanged, using data from the Gambling Survey 2022 as a benchmark.
As per these findings, 2.4% of the German adult population (18-70 years old) struggle with gambling addiction, comparable to the 2.3% in the prior assessment. Additionally, general gambling patterns in Germany have not seen significant shifts, although certain games have experienced minor switches in popularity.
Industry Disapproval
Significant voices from the industry expressed their concerns, as reported by the trade publication games & media.
Georg Stecker, representative of the German Gaming Machine Association (VAD), voiced his displeasure at the release of the Gambling Survey 2024:
Unfortunately, despite substantial criticisms of the methodology, the investigation design was kept unaltered, and the survey's limited validity was not acknowledged in today's presentation of the current survey results. The issues, according to experts, that render extrapolation to the whole population questionable, persisted in the 2024 gambling survey. – Georg Stecker, spokesperson for the German Gaming Machine Association (VAD), source: games & media**
However, Stecker emphasized that the VAD generally advocates for scientific research into gambling data in Germany, particularly in relation to the planned evaluation of the State Treaty on Gambling at the end of 2027, the validity of these data must be maintained.
Similarly, Mathias Dahms, president of the German Online Betting Association (DOWA), firmly expressed his dissent:
Despite the critique of the previous 2022 survey, the authors have not amended their approach. They continue to disregard the concerns of other researchers and fail to provide adequate information about the limitations of their study. – Mathias Dahms, president of the German Online Betting Association (DOWA), source: DOWA**
The DOWA, among other issues, highlighted that gambling addiction was found significantly less frequent (0.4%) in phone surveys compared to online surveys (6.4%), casting doubt on the survey's representativeness.
Furthermore, statistician Katharina Schüller had previously pointed out that the method of cross-sectional study used in the Gambling Survey 2022 and 2024 is not appropriate for time comparisons. Despite this, the researchers assert that they can demonstrate corresponding developments.
Researchers' Impartiality in Question
Recently, Simone Borchardt, Member of the German Bundestag and addiction expert (CDU), hinted that the researchers' impartiality might not have been guaranteed and comparisons were potentially drawn with a study from the COVID-19 era.
In your estimation, there could have been collusion between the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and the researchers, making the awarding of the contract dubious.
Calls for Greater Transparency and Variety
It remains uncertain whether the researchers or the BMG will issue a statement or stand by their methodology and refrain from addressing the criticisms.
The publication of the raw data, which is also demanded by the industry alongside the alteration of the research framework, could be a feasible solution to better determine the results' validity.
At present, according to the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (LGL), over ten German institutions are engaged in gambling research. As such, it appears there is a wide foundation for publishing more study findings and comparing them with the Gambling Survey 2024.
In response to the concerns raised by the German Gaming Machine Association and the German Online Betting Association, online casinos in Germany might consider conducting their own independent surveys to gather more accurate data about gambling habits in the country. Despite the criticism towards the Gambling Survey 2024, there's a growing need for transparency and variety in gambling research, as suggested by the Joint Gambling Authority of the States.
As more institutions, such as the LGL, contribute to gambling research in Germany, comparing their findings with the results of the Gambling Survey 2024 could provide a more comprehensive understanding of gambling habits in the country. Furthermore, considering the substantial differences in gambling addiction rates between phone and online surveys, online casinos in Germany should consider incorporating multiple survey methods to ensure more representative results.
Read also:
- Leverkusen claims victory in the cup, securing a double triumph.
- Alonso achieves a double victory after consuming a German brew.
- Does the SVolt factory in Saarland face stability issues?
- Furor surrounding Sylt scandal footage