The GGL takes the great popularity of the annual state Christmas lottery “El Gordo” in Spain as an opportunity to inform consumers about the legal situation in Germany.
Offering the Christmas lottery “El Gordo” on the Internet is not permitted in Germany. However, there are illegal gambling operators who advertise online participation in “El Gordo”.
Offering the Christmas lottery on these websites is illegal, because instead of participating in the actual Christmas lottery, only bets are placed on the outcome of the lottery towards third parties and therefore no contract is concluded with the operator of the state lottery. These so-called “side lotteries” cannot be authorized under the 2021 Interstate Gambling Treaty.
Ronald Benter, member of the GGL board of directors, said: “Many players are probably not aware of this. It is therefore advisable for everyone interested in gambling to get an idea in advance of the gaming providers authorized in Germany on the official whitelist.”
The whitelist is available on the Internet at www.gluecksspiel-behoerde.de and is updated regularly. Furthermore, GGL provides the “GGL Test and Approval Seal” to suppliers authorized and supervised by the authority:
Benjamin Schwanke, member of the GGL board of directors, confirmed: “This will make it even easier for consumers to recognize legal gambling offers on the Internet and play them safely.”
In this context, the GGL emphasizes that participation in unauthorized gambling is punishable under Article 285 of the Criminal Code and can be punished with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to one hundred and eighty daily rates.
How consumers can distinguish between legal and illegal gaming offers on the Internet can be read in the current GGL brochure with the essential player protection measures of the Interstate Gambling Treaty 2021. The brochure is available for download on GGL website.
