The German Gambling Research Foundation starts operations, providing funds for scientific projects.
The German Institute for Gambling Research was established in 2024. It was introduced to the public for the first time at the Garching Science Congress Center on May 28 of the same year, where they unveiled their plans to enhance gambling research in Germany.
Collaboration Effort for the Advancement of Gambling Research
The German Institute for Gambling Research is an initiative involving the Thuringian State Lottery AoR, the Tipico Technology Holding GmbH, the François-Blanc-Spielbank GmbH Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe, and Dr. Daniel Henzgen from Löwen Entertainment.
The purpose of the foundation is to contribute towards "a better comprehension and avoidance of gambling issues," as per its statutes.
To further the industry's research community and foster discussion, the foundation intends to organize an annual conference. This summit will enable networking, scientific debates, and recognize exceptional professional achievements in academia, as mentioned by the trade magazine games & business.
Encouraging Academic Exploration through Financial Support
To motivate scholars to explore gambling-related research questions, the institute plans to offer three "German Innovation Prizes for Gambling Research" each year, with each particularly deserving candidate receiving 200,000 euros in prize money.
In his statement to games & business, Managing Director of the German Institute for Gambling Research, Knut Walter, stressed the significance of granting financial rewards to boost research in this field:
The unveiling of our Innovation Prizes makes it possible, for the first time, to commend superbly innovative and excellent German gambling-focused research concerning consumer behavior in all capacities. - Knut Walter, Managing Director of the German Institute for Gambling Research
In addition to the three major prizes, there will also be a "German Young Researcher Prize for Gambling Research" to commend someone who has been actively researching for less than a decade. This award comes with a monetary value of 30,000 euros.
To be considered for a prize, applicants can submit their work from May 28, 2024, to September 30, 2024. The first awards ceremony is scheduled for early 2025.
Controversial Gambling Research in Germany
Gambling research has been an ongoing pursuit in Germany for some time. The University of Hohenheim, established in 2004, constitutes a major contributor to this discipline and has published several studies.
However, the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) at the 21st Gambling Symposium of the University of Hohenheim stressed the need for further research to better grasp aspects of gambling like player protection and the influence of advertising.
Gambling-related studies have garnered criticism from both the industry and academic circles due to concerns about the objectivity of funding and award allocation. The FDP faction in Bremen even recently leveled new accusations regarding the granting process.
It appears that there is a considerable demand for research to support the burgeoning gambling landscape in Germany. The German Institute for Gambling Research hopes to contribute to this need by allocating resources to assist in evidence-based decision making related to gambling in Germany.
The evaluation of the Gambling State Treaty is planned for 2026. The German Institute for Gambling Research acknowledged the accomplishment of the Gambling State Treaty's objectives as its underlying inspiration for its creation.
We will soon find out if the German Institute for Gambling Research can provide the necessary motivation for groundbreaking studies through its aid that might inform German policy on gambling based on an extensive research foundation.
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