GGL Prioritizes Data Quality Over Speed Ahead of 2026 Regulatory Review

At the Online Gaming Summit Europe 2025, GGL board member Ronald Benter provided a detailed update on the regulator's data infrastructure development, addressing industry concerns about the timeline for market analytics and regulatory evaluation.

Building Unique Regulatory Systems"The GGL is a young authority. Within just two years, we have built systems that are unique in this form in Germany – and perhaps internationally," Benter stated. While technical systems are operational, they remain in a typical maturation phase where stabilization, validation, and harmonization take precedence over immediate analytical output.

The regulator acknowledged that error-free data transmission to Safe Servers has not yet been achieved across all operators. The GGL is actively working with the industry to ensure compliant data delivery, meaning current datasets cannot yet support the formal evaluation process.

Accuracy Before Publication"It's not about publishing any data as quickly as possible. It's about making it reliable," Benter emphasized. The authority warned that premature data release could lead to:

Misinterpretation of market trendsFlawed policy decisionsRegulatory uncertainty for operatorsCurrent Market StatusDespite the ongoing data infrastructure development, Benter confirmed the licensed German gambling market remains stable. "There are currently no reliable indications that the regulation has not proven effective," he noted, adding that the market continues in its consolidation phase with player protection measures functioning as intended.

2026 Evaluation TimelineThe GGL is initiating the evaluation phase of the 2021 Interstate Treaty, encompassing scientific studies on player protection effectiveness, advertising impact, and channelization versus black market activity. From 2027, evaluations will increasingly draw on validated Safe Server data to enable precise, objective, and data-driven assessments.

"We should all make decisions based on data – not selective perceptions, individual interests, or short-term emotions," Benter concluded.