Here’s a rewritten version of the article that provides a unique perspective:
GGL Emphasizes Transparency with New Gambling Data Insights
The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Germany’s regulatory body for gambling, has recently released its inaugural quarterly report detailing trends in cross-border sports betting and iGaming expenditures.
This report, which examines data from the first and second quarters of 2025, sheds light on gambling patterns across Germany, focusing on both online and brick-and-mortar establishments.
Initiating a Culture of Openness
The launch of this dataset follows the appointment of Sandro Kirchner as GGL chairman in July. Kirchner serves as the state secretary within the Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior for Sport and Integration, marking a significant step toward enhancing transparency in the gambling sector.
The GGL aims to foster a more open dialogue around the legal gambling landscape by providing frequent updates. "This publication is designed to support fact-based discussions and assessment of the GlüStV 2021," a spokesperson for the GGL remarked.
As the sector eagerly anticipates developments stemming from the ongoing evaluation introduced in December 2023, there are hopes that the review will address key issues such as player protection limits and IP blocking measures.
Q2 Sees Declines in Gambling Activity
In the first quarter, total stakes in gambling—excluding lotteries—reached an impressive €3.51 billion. This figure included €2.18 billion dedicated to sports betting, broken down into €1.59 billion from online platforms and €585 million from in-person sportsbooks. Additionally, horseracing wagers amounted to €25 million, while virtual slots generated €1.1 billion and internet poker saw €204 million in bets.
The second quarter, however, showcased a decline, with total gambling stakes falling to €3.22 billion, reflecting an 8.3% decrease from Q1. Sports betting alone contributed €1.89 billion—a 13.5% drop compared to the previous quarter. Online sports betting decreased by 12.7%, and retail sportsbook spending also diminished by 15.6% to €494 million. Notably, horseracing experienced an uptick of 28%, bringing in €32 million.
In contrast, the trend for virtual slots was slightly positive, with wagers rising 1.6% to €1.12 billion, while online poker engagement declined by 9.8%.
Lottery Spending and Commercial Gaming Insights
Alongside these figures, the GGL reported on the state of cross-border lotteries, indicating that total spending in Q1 reached €377 million. This amount included €315 million from social lotteries and €61 million from class lotteries. In Q2, lottery expenditures fell slightly to €371 million, with social lottery spending dipping 0.6% and class lottery funds decreasing by 4.9%.
The GGL also highlighted commercial gaming brokerage with figures showing €243 million in Q1, reflecting a marginal decrease to €240 million in Q2.
In summary, as the GGL moves to embrace a more transparent approach, stakeholders are eager to see how these insights might inform regulatory frameworks and industry practices moving forward.
This version retains the core information but presents it with a distinctive voice and structure.