FIFA World Cup 2026: Germany’s GGL warns against illegal sports betting

Germany’s GGL is stepping up supervision around the FIFA World Cup 2026, warning consumers against illegal online betting platforms and pointing them to the official whitelist of licensed operators. For PSPs and payment teams in high-risk verticals, the message is simple: major tournaments bring more traffic, more scrutiny, and a sharper focus on unlicensed flows.

1. The GGL expects demand for legal sports betting to rise during the tournament and says unauthorized operators often bypass legal safeguards for minors, players, and consumers. In practice, that leaves users exposed to fraud and unfair practices, which is exactly the kind of flow regulators and payment partners tend to examine first.
2. Federal Commissioner for Addiction and Drugs Hendrik Streeck recently named illegal gambling as a central challenge in the fight against addiction. Ronald Benter, president of the GGL, urged consumers to check the official whitelist to see which operators are legally authorized before placing bets.
3. In Germany, only licensed operators may offer sports betting. All approved providers are listed in the official register, available via the “Sports betting” filter. The GGL also points consumers to guidance on identifying illegal offers in the FAQ section of its website.
4. For the World Cup, the GGL has published an expanded FAQ covering which sports bets are legal in Germany, which events can be bet on, why some disciplines are allowed and others are not, the difference between online and land-based operators, and how major events such as the World Cup or the Olympic Games affect the betting market.
5. During the tournament, the regulator will intensify monitoring of sports betting advertising, online offers, broadcasts and streaming platforms, as well as new betting products and markets. It also works with national and international partners including the IOC, FIFA, and UEFA to detect manipulation risks and protect sporting integrity.

The GGL is also asking consumers, sports organizations, media, and market participants to report suspicious offers or violations through its reporting system, including illegal online betting, unauthorized advertising, and other breaches. It serves as a contact point for possible manipulation attempts linked to sports betting during the World Cup.