German gaming conference to tackle enforcement doubts and product expansion
The event in Berlin will examine a court ruling challenging the GGL's enforcement powers and potential market expansion.
BERLIN · The 2026 Gaming in Germany Conference will take place in Berlin on Tuesday, November 10, with a full agenda set to examine critical issues facing the country's regulated iGaming sector. The event will focus on a recent ruling by the Halle Administrative Court that challenges the entire legal authority of the national gambling regulator, the GGL, to enforce the prohibition against unlicensed iGaming. It will also explore the potential for a significant expansion in the range of permitted products and the ongoing competition from offshore operators. All key stakeholders from Germany's regulated iGaming market are expected to attend the conference at the DoubleTree Hilton Ku'damm, located just 100 metres from the Kurfürstendamm.
Willem van Oort, founder of Gaming in Germany, said the market is "certainly not a boring one." He noted, "On the one hand, there appears to be room for a significant expansion in the range of permitted products. On the other hand, a recent ruling by the Halle Administrative Court calls into question the GGL’s entire legal authority to enforce the prohibition against unlicensed iGaming in Germany." Van Oort stated the conference will be "THE place to discuss the way forward for Germany-licensed operators, suppliers, and other stakeholders." The agenda includes sessions on the review of the State Gambling Treaty, potential new products, offshore competition and questions over the GGL's enforcement powers. Confirmed speakers include Alexander Müller, a member of the executive board of the FDP political party, and Melanie Hainzer, the DACH market owner for supplier Play ‘n GO. Legal perspectives will be provided by Dr. Matthias Spitz, a senior partner at Melchers Law Firm, and Dr. Christian Rapani, a partner at Rapani Rechtsanwälte.
A panel discussion will feature Hans-Peter Kalenberg, department head at the Ministry of the Interior for Nordrhein-Westfalen, along with Dr. Carsten Bringmann, an associate partner at Noerr, and Dr. Joerg Hofmann, a senior partner at Melchers Law Firm, who will moderate. The conference will also focus on what the industry can do to keep the illegal market in check. Van Oort said, "As always, our event will also focus on what the industry can do to keep the illegal market in check. In our current situation, this may be more important than ever." Registration for the event is now open.