Central Europe

DSWV Urges German Government to Restart Sportsbook Licensing Process

Published

5 years ago

February 11, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Deutsche Sportwettenverband (DSWV), the German association of sports betting providers, has called on the German government to restart the stalled sportsbook licensing process after the country’s sports betting sector saw sales fall 16.1% in 2020 following the disruption caused by Covid-19.

DSWV president Mathias Dahms also warned that the strict controls for the online casino had already prompted a mass migration of players to unlicensed sites, and urged a rethink on how the vertical is regulated.

Tax figures from the Federal Ministry of Finance reveal that industry turnover declined from 2019’s record €9.3bn to €7.8bn (£6.9bn/$9.4bn). Tax revenue for the year fell 16.2% year-on-year to €389m.

The industry association noted that if January and February’s figures were taken out, to cover the impact of Covid-19 from March onwards, turnover would have been down more than 20% compared to the prior year.

In April and May, DSWV president Dahms noted, the market “collapsed completely.” With betting shops closed and sporting events suspended, turnover plummeted 90% year-on-year for April, then fell 75% in May.

Amid accusations that the gambling industry was profiting from the crisis, Dahms said, “the exact opposite is true.”

It was only in late summer, when the sporting calendar was packed as postponed events took place, that staking stabilised, the DSWV explained. The economic situation, however, remained “extremely tense,” it added.

“During the current lockdown, all 5,000 to 6,000 betting shops nationwide are closed or have been [offering a reduced service]. Approximately 25,000 employees are mostly on short-time work and in fear for their jobs, while the operators fear for their businesses’ futures,” Dahms explained.

He said that with betting shops denied state aid, the government must set out a roadmap towards reopening, including the social distancing and sanitisation measures required of operators.

This financial crisis, the DSWV continued, had been exacerbated by the transitional regulations for online casino that came into force as of 15 October. This has been followed by “massive” migration of consumers to black market operators, mostly based in Asia and the Caribbean.

A survey of DSWV members claims each operator has seen igaming turnover fall by an average of 54% in the wake of the transitional regime beginning. This requires operators to cap online slot stakes at €1 per spin, with spin speeds to average 5 seconds.

“It is clear that the strict regulations for virtual slot machines have channeled the market away almost overnight – unfortunately in the wrong direction. It is unrealistic to believe that German customers will get used to the excessive restrictions of the State Treaty and come back to licensed providers as long as they can play with competitors who offer them much better conditions,” Dahms said.

“We urgently need improvements to the regulations and a functioning enforcement against illegal offers. Otherwise, established providers willing to regulate will withdraw from the German gaming market,” Dahms added.

Central Europe

ZEAL launches Dream Car Raffle charity lottery in Germany

Published

1 week ago

April 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

zeal-launches-dream-car-raffle-charity-lottery-in-germany

ZEAL has launched Dream Car Raffle (Traumautoverlosung), a new charity lottery offering in the regulated German gambling market. The company said the product is developed in-house and adds to its portfolio alongside its lottery brokerage business.

Traumautoverlosung is operated by Dreamify gGmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZEAL, while marketing and sales is handled by Lotto24 AG, also part of the group. ZEAL said the launch follows the Dream House Raffle (Traumhausverlosung) introduced in 2024 and freiheit+, making Traumautoverlosung its third charity lottery in Germany.

“With Traumautoverlosung, ZEAL continues its strategy of complementing its traditional lottery brokerage business with proprietary products, targeting new customer segments and reducing its dependence on jackpot-driven cycles of state lotteries,” the company said. Stefan Tweraser, CEO of ZEAL Group, added: “We are pleased to further expand our core business with attractive new products. Traumautoverlosung is another step towards diversifying our portfolio and reaching new target groups.”

ZEAL said Traumautoverlosung is structured with a limited number of tickets and a guaranteed winner. At launch, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS will be raffled, with a total of 250,000 tickets available. “With Traumautoverlosung, we are focusing on cars that are otherwise out of reach for many people – highly desirable models that are often difficult to obtain on the market,” said Michael Lee, founder of Traumautoverlosung. “Our goal is to translate this demand into a transparent, digital product with clearly defined mechanics.”

As a charity lottery, the product allocates at least 20 percent of ticket revenue to charitable causes, according to ZEAL. The company said the initiative will partner with Johanniter in 2026.

The post ZEAL launches Dream Car Raffle charity lottery in Germany appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Best Slot Developer

Amusnet Named Best Slot Developer at GamingTECH Awards 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-named-best-slot-developer-at-gamingtech-awards-2026

Amusnet has been awarded the title of Best Slot Developer at the GamingTECH Awards 2026, marking a notable acknowledgment of the company’s innovative and technical prowess. Unveiled on March 25th in Prague at the 10th-anniversary edition of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, this recognition emphasizes the influence of the company’s varied, high-achieving slot collection throughout Central and Eastern European markets.

This accolade highlights the organization’s capacity to provide a diverse array of titles that satisfy the changing needs of both operators and players. By prioritizing technical dependability, dynamic animations, and captivating features, Amusnet has positioned itself as a key partner in the area.

“We are truly honoured to receive the Best Slot Developer award,” commented Julia Peeva-Sertov, CEO & Director at Amusnet Gaming, Malta. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences for players. Empowering our partners continues to inspire us to push boundaries and set new benchmarks in the industry.”

The Prague Gaming & TECH Summit united industry leaders and top executives to explore the connection between gaming, AI, and fintech. During the event, representatives from Amusnet Gaming participated in strategic networking and high-level discussions within the industry, enhancing connections with partners in the CEE area. Winning this title at a milestone anniversary occasion reinforces the company’s position as an innovative leader in the digital entertainment industry.

The post Amusnet Named Best Slot Developer at GamingTECH Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Central Europe

Gaming in Germany Conference returns to Berlin November 10, 2026

Published

3 weeks ago

March 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-in-germany-conference-returns-to-berlin-november-10,-2026

The Gaming in Germany Conference is set to return to Berlin on November 10, 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from across the country’s regulated online gambling sector. The event will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Ku’damm and is expected to once again attract a wide range of industry professionals.

Organised by Gaming in Europe, the annual conference has established itself as a central meeting point for operators, regulators, legal experts, and service providers involved in Germany’s evolving iGaming landscape.

Key Topics on the Agenda

The 2026 edition will focus on some of the most pressing issues facing the German market. A major highlight will be discussions around the evaluation of the GlüStV 2021 (State Gambling Treaty) and its impact on the regulated online gambling environment.

In addition, the conference will cover a broad range of topics, including:

Regulatory developments and compliance
Market growth and competitive dynamics
Player protection and responsible gambling
Marketing strategies in a regulated environment
The role of eSports within the sector

These sessions are designed to provide actionable insights while fostering dialogue between industry participants and regulatory authorities.

Confirmed Speakers

Although the event is still several months away, a strong lineup of speakers has already been confirmed. These include:

Dr. Jörg Hofmann, Senior Partner at Melchers Law
A senior representative from the GGL (German Gambling Authority)
Dr. Dirk Quermann, President of DOCV
Mathias Dahms, President of DSWV
VP Games at ZEAL Network
Prof. Dr. Christian Piska, University of Vienna
Dr. Nepomuk Nothelfer, University of Agder & Melchers Law
Josh Hodgson, COO at H2 Gambling Capital

This mix of legal, regulatory, and commercial expertise ensures a well-rounded perspective on the challenges and opportunities within Germany’s regulated market.

A Key Industry Meeting Point

Willem van Oort, founder of Gaming in Germany, highlighted the importance of the event:

“After last year’s highly successful edition, we are extremely pleased to return to Berlin in 2026. Our goal is to connect the industry with regulatory and social stakeholders. This year, we expect to gain valuable insights into the evaluation of the 2021 State Gambling Treaty and its impact on the market.”

He also emphasized that the conference remains one of the best opportunities to meet key decision-makers in Germany’s iGaming sector.

Registration and Participation

Industry professionals are encouraged to save the date and secure their place early. The event also offers opportunities for speakers and sponsors to get involved and share their expertise with a targeted audience.

With its strong agenda and high-level networking opportunities, the Gaming in Germany Conference 2026 is set to be a must-attend event for anyone active in the German regulated iGaming market.

The post Gaming in Germany Conference returns to Berlin November 10, 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.