Germany is preparing for one of the most important regulatory and commercial gaming gatherings in Europe with the arrival of iGaming Germany 2026, scheduled for May 21–22, 2026 at Novotel München Messe in Munich. The conference will bring together operators, legal experts, AML specialists, testing laboratories, payment providers, technology companies and casino and betting executives at a critical moment for the future of the German and wider European gaming market.
The 2026 edition arrives amid growing pressure on the German regulatory model established after the implementation of the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (GlüStV 2021), the Interstate Treaty on Gambling that legalized and regulated online sports betting, poker and virtual slots under one of Europe’s strictest frameworks. The system introduced monthly deposit limits of €1,000, extensive AML controls, centralized monitoring systems and strong advertising restrictions. However, operators and market analysts increasingly argue that excessive regulation and tax pressure have fueled offshore gambling growth and weakened channelization toward licensed operators.
The main regulatory presence will be the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Germany’s central online gambling authority, led by Ronald Benter from Halle, Saxony-Anhalt. The conference agenda will focus heavily on compliance, artificial intelligence, payments, player protection, black-market activity, enforcement and the long-term sustainability of legal gaming in Europe. One of the central debates will revolve around how regulators can balance consumer protection with international competitiveness against offshore operators.
Ronald Benter
Among the headline speakers are Claus Hambach, founding partner of Hambach & Hambach Rechtsanwälte, and Christian Piska, professor of law at the University of Vienna, who will discuss European regulatory harmonization, AML policy, AI-driven gaming compliance and the sustainability of regulated markets.
Claus Hambach
The conference will also host the inaugural Gaming Retail Summit, focused on the integration between retail gaming and digital ecosystems. Confirmed companies include Tipico, GG Poker, Greentube, Gaming Laboratories International, Worldpay and Gamomat.
Germany’s gambling market already exceeds approximately €14.4 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, while the regulated online segment is estimated at between €3 billion and €3.5 billion. Munich is now set to become Europe’s main discussion hub for gambling taxes, AML controls, AI, payments, advertising restrictions and the future competitiveness of the regulated gaming industry.
