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German Sports Betting Association Calls for Rethinking of Regulation to Combat the Black Market
The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) will report on the current development of the sports betting market in Germany at its 2023 annual press conference.
Although millions of people in Germany show great interest in sports betting, it is becoming increasingly difficult for legal providers to meet the high demand with attractive products due to overly strict regulation and a rampant black market. As a result, there was also a noticeable decline in the market in 2022. The latest figures and data are cause for great concern, because the undesirable development feared a year ago has been confirmed and is obviously intensifying.
After the German sports betting market stabilised again at pre-Corona levels in 2021 with stakes of EUR 9.4 billion, there was a massive decline in the permitted market in 2022. Despite the World Cup year, gaming stakes fell to around €8.2bn last year. State revenues from sports betting tax were also correspondingly lower than in the previous year, at €433m.
However, the rather disappointing World Cup, partly due to Germany’s early exit and the resulting up to 80% drop in betting, is only contributing to a small extent to this development. The main reason for the market decline has to do with the extremely restrictive German regulation and the rampant black market.
Legal providers are only allowed to operate within a very narrow regulatory framework and are therefore unable to offer sufficiently attractive products. In a European comparison, Germany’s legal gambling market is one of the most restrictive in this respect. At the same time, the black market continues to expand unhindered. Customers are not gambling less than before, but elsewhere.
“Unfortunately, in 2022, exactly the scenario we have warned about time and again has come to pass: The legal market has to hold its own against the countless black market providers who do not adhere to any specifications or rules. For most customers, whether a provider has a permit from Germany is secondary. They are looking for the most comprehensive offer, the best odds, uncomplicated payment processes and interesting bonuses. That’s where the legal offers have a hard time,” DSWV President Mathias Dahms said.
And customers are finding it. In February 2023, the DSWV repeated its market study from the previous year and found an increase of at least 65% in active illegal gambling and sports betting offers. Out of a total of around 1500 websites without a German license that were checked, players from Germany can access 840 illegal websites and open a gaming account on 723 sites. This contrasts with only 46 permitted providers – 31 of which are sports betting providers – which have little room for maneuver due to the excessive regulation. In the area of betting shops, too, there are still too many unauthorised betting opportunities. In some cases, providers whose applications for permission have been rejected are still operating on the web and locally with betting stores. Here, too, the local authorities must step up controls and take action.
The previous enforcement measures of the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) are visibly reaching their limits in the fight against the black market. The fact that the authority’s push for IP blocking, i.e., the blocking of illegal websites by Internet providers, has now also been curbed by three court rulings should give cause to focus on alternative approaches in the fight against illegal offerings. This includes, in particular, the consistent strengthening of the legal market: In order to be competitive, the permitted sports betting providers need as attractive and broad a range of offers as possible. The extremely strict restrictions on offerings and advertising urgently need to be put to the test.
“Advertising serves to steer all those who are already interested in sports betting into the state-supervised, and thus safe, market. In order to obtain a sports betting license in Germany, providers must meet numerous player protection criteria. The illegal providers from third countries do not care about the German regulations. Many advertise even in the Internet purposefully thereby to let also blocked players play. This type of advertising must be urgently prevented, and the advertising possibilities of legal providers must be strengthened,” DSWV Chief Executive Luka Andric said.
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NODWIN Gaming partners with Esports World Cup Foundation to manage media rights sales across South Asia
NODWIN Gaming, a leader in South Asia’s esports and gaming ecosystem has officially partnered with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) to manage media rights sales across South Asia including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and other surrounding territories.
NODWIN Gaming will act as the strategic support for the EWCF in the region, supporting with media rights sales and distribution strategies for the EWC across South Asia. The partnership aims to bring the Esports World Cup to a broader audience of fans in one of the fastest-growing esports markets globally. Additionally, NODWIN Gaming will act as the EWCF’s marketing partner for the Indian market, to conceptualize and execute local campaigns and initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission of elevating esports and gaming culture worldwide.
The EWCF is the nonprofit organization behind the Esports World Cup (EWC), the world’s largest multi-title esports competition. The 2024 inaugural edition featured 1,500 elite players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries, competing across 21 titles for a record-breaking $60 million prize pool. With 500 million online viewers and 2.6 million in-person attendees, the EWC set a new benchmark for esports competitions worldwide.
With a proven legacy in managing media rights for the targeted distribution of world-class esports and entertainment content, NODWIN Gaming has successfully brought competitive gaming to mainstream audiences through multiple broadcast platforms, including television and OTT services. Its marquee IP, the Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS), is currently the only Indian esports tournament to air on national television, broadcasting on Star Sports for three consecutive years. The company has also delivered top-tier productions and media rights solutions for properties such as the eISL in collaboration with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the VALORANT Challengers South Asia with Riot Games, the Mountain Dew Arena with ESL India, and the Kingfisher India Premiership, among others.
Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming said, “The Esports World Cup is a landmark moment for global esports, and we’re proud to partner with the EWCF to bring that experience to South Asia. This partnership is about more than just broadcasting a tournament – it’s about building a bridge between South Asia’s incredibly passionate gaming communities and the global stage that the EWCF represents. Whether it’s in India, Bangladesh,
Nepal or beyond, our goal is to make world-class esports content more accessible than ever. We’re excited to work closely with the EWCF to not only grow the tournament’s reach but to also support the larger ecosystem and community it helps foster.”
The EWCF is dedicated to supporting the long-term growth and financial sustainability of the global esports and gaming sectors. The foundation’s mission is to advocate for the entire ecosystem including players, fans, and businesses and to reinvest any proceeds back into initiatives that fuel the development of the industry.
“Our mission at the Esports World Cup Foundation is to create lasting impact for the global esports industry by setting new competitive benchmarks and forging partnerships that understand the nuances of each region. South Asia represents an incredibly dynamic and fast-growing gaming market, and NODWIN Gaming brings unparalleled knowledge, reach, and local trust to this ecosystem. By partnering with NODWIN, we are not only ensuring that the Esports World Cup reaches more fans, but we are also reinforcing our commitment to making esports more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.” stated Mike McCabe, COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation.
Through this association, the EWCF strengthens its global presence while leveraging NODWIN Gaming’s deep-rooted experience in youth engagement, esports content, and regional distribution across emerging economies.
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Esports World Cup Foundation Expands India Presence with S8UL’s Inclusion in the EWCF Club Partner Program, BGMI Invitation to EWC 2025, and broadcast on one of India’s leading streaming platforms
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced a major expansion of its engagement with the Indian esports ecosystem. Key developments include a soon-to-be-announced strategic broadcast partnership with India’s leading streaming and digital services company, an official invitation of a Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) team to compete at the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), and the inclusion of premier Indian organization S8UL in the 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program.
The initiatives mark a key milestone in EWCF’s mission to unite global esports fans under one competitive platform and reinforces its commitment to integrating one of the world’s fastest-growing esports markets into EWC while expanding opportunities for players, clubs and fans across the region.
“The Esports World Cup’s purpose is to unite the global gaming community, and that means investing in regions driving the future of the industry,” said Mike McCabe, Chief Operating Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “India is central to that vision. With hundreds of millions of mobile-first players, it’s home to an ecosystem evolving at an incredible pace—from championship Clubs like S8UL to leading digital platforms that are transforming how fans experience esports. Through expanded partnerships and competitive pathways, we’re shaping the future of Indian esports, empowering its players and Clubs to compete at the highest level at EWC, bringing the best of the Esports World Cup to the country.”
The invitation to the winner of the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA PRO SERIES (BMPS) marks the first time that an Indian team will compete against the best teams from the rest of the world at the Esports World Cup, representing a milestone moment for the title’s integration into international competition and a reflection of the rapid growth and potential of mobile gaming in the country.
India’s leading broadcast partner, soon to be announced, will play a pivotal role in expanding access, amplifying fan engagement, and supporting India-based programming throughout the EWC 2025 season, including localized broadcasts, community events, and exclusive content offerings aimed at the subcontinent’s 500+ million gamers.
This year, the Mumbai-based organization S8UL Esports joined the EWCF Club Partner Program. S8UL, forged via a merger of two legendary Indian teams in SOUL and 8bit, is a prime example of a Club that’s accelerated their growth through the Program. The Club has already qualified for EWC 2025 in Apex Legends, EA SPORTS FC, and is competing for qualification in additional titles including Tekken, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, BGMI and Chess.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Club Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
The EWC 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool.
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A brand-new industry-facing name has been announced: Wildz Group™, powered by award-winning iGaming platform Rootz. In recognition of industry developments and company growth, Wildz Group™ has formed, as a collective of leading gambling entertainment brands.
The name directly references the Group’s iconic online casino and sports superbrand, Wildz.
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The new Group will contain the Rootz Platform, powering the six existing gambling brands – Wildz™ Casino, Caxino™ Casino, Wheelz™ Casino, Spinz™ Casino, Chipz™ Casino, and Tuplaus™ Casino – with some exciting new additions in 2025 and beyond.
The leadership team believes Wildz Group will be the catalyst for even greater growth with suppliers, business partners, and collaborators across the gaming industry.
The post Wildz Group: iGaming Industry Leaders appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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