The German Gambling Authority has set the stage for this year’s National Gambling Addiction Action Day to raise awareness about gambling harm and promote responsible play. Last year, the initiative generated more than 1,500 tips from players about black-market activity showing the level of public concern.

Operating under the theme, Gambling damage: recognise, name, avoid, this year’s action day highlights the risks of gambling addiction and provides resources for struggling individuals. Special attention will be given to young people, who suffer high-risk of harm. 

Five Priority Areas Announced

In advance of the campaign, the GGL outlined five key areas of focus, including prevention of gambling addiction, monitoring sports betting, and the principle of channelisation, directing players towards regulated providers. Together, these measures strengthen public awareness and provide a safer gambling environment.

The Authority has also taken steps to improve access to support services. The campaign material includes signposting to helplines, websites, and counselling centres across Germany. They also published an official whitelist of approved gambling companies to help players identify legal operators and avoid falling victim to illegal or unsafe betting offers.

Spotlight on Sports Betting

Sports betting remains one of the more controversial areas of regulation. Sebastian Buchholz, Head of the Permits and Supervision of Legal Gambling Department at the GGL, noted that the fast-growing market requires strict oversight. 

Buchholz will address the subject in detail at a symposium in Halle, where he delivers a lecture on current developments and regulatory challenges in online sports betting. Before joining the GGL, he served as Gambling Supervisor at the Ministry of the Interior and Sports and later as Deputy Chair of the Gambling Board in Saxony-Anhalt.

Germany in the International Context

Although Germany’s Gambling Addiction Action Day is in its early years, it has become a cornerstone of the GGL’s prevention work. The Authority itself was only established in 2023 and pushes against regulatory stagnation slowing reforms in recent years.

Compared to larger campaigns such as Safer Gambling Week in the United Kingdom and Responsible Gaming Education Month in the United States, Germany’s efforts are smaller in scale. Nevertheless, the initiative represents meaningful progress in the national conversation about gambling harm. With each new campaign, the GGL lays the groundwork for a safer and more transparent gambling landscape.