Gaming in Germany Conference Unveils 2026 Agenda Focused on Regulatory Change
The 2026 Gaming in Germany Conference agenda highlights State Gambling Treaty evaluation, state casino licences, offshore enforcement, and new product categories for the German market.
Key Takeaways
- The Gaming in Germany Conference 2026 agenda centres on evaluating GlüStV 2021 and regulatory progress.
- State-level licensing updates from Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, and Baden-Württemberg are a major highlight.
- Sessions will examine countermeasures against offshore gambling and the introduction of new product categories.
- The conference includes a keynote from a Senior GGL representative and leading industry legal and compliance experts.
- Austrian online casino market re-regulation will be covered, presenting further potential for German-speaking operators.
The Gaming in Germany Conference has released its initial programme for the 2026 event, which will take place on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the DoubleTree Hilton Ku'damm in Berlin. The agenda prioritises the official review of Germany’s 2021 State Gambling Treaty (GlüStV 2021), the ongoing approach to countering unlicensed offshore gaming, and industry discussions around the introduction of new regulated products such as prediction betting, sweepstakes, and eSports betting.
2026 Agenda: GlüStV 2021 Evaluation and Key Regulatory Issues
The core of the 2026 agenda rests on the comprehensive evaluation of GlüStV 2021. This assessment sets the backdrop for strategic debate among stakeholders about what is working and what may require amendment. Sessions will scrutinise both federal and state-level developments, reflecting Germany’s complex regulatory architecture.
Additional focal points include methodologies to deter offshore online gambling operators from targeting German consumers and the legal path for new product categories. Attendees will learn about:
- The current state and future prospects of prediction betting, sweepstakes, and regulated eSports wagering
- Initiatives to strengthen the enforcement of German regulation versus unlicensed gaming supply
“These are all topics that are highly relevant for running a successful iGaming business in Germany. The possibility of being able to offer new products is always exciting and the opening of Austria's regulated online casino market will bring fresh opportunities to operators that are already active in German-speaking areas,” said Willem van Oort, founder of Gaming in Germany.
Licensing and New State-Level Opportunities
A major section of the conference programme is dedicated to the evolution of state-specific online casino licensing. Developments in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, and Baden-Württemberg are flagged as key case studies, with speakers providing practical insight into navigating state application frameworks and maintaining ongoing compliance.
Dr. Carsten Bringmann of Noerr will lead a session on licensing opportunities in Nordrhein-Westfalen, while the future of online casino regulation across Germany and Austria is also tabled for discussion. Austrian market re-regulation receives its own track, reflecting its significance for operators already invested in the DACH region.
Combating the Black Market and Enforcement Measures
The agenda features a distinct segment focused on black market prevention and enforcement. Specialist speakers—Alexander Müller (FDP), Vasiliki Panousi (Kaizen), Christian Heins (European Gambling Gathering), and Thore Sieck (Adyen)—will address legislative initiatives, payment-blocking measures, and tactics for reducing the attractiveness of unlicensed offerings. The future of Germany’s and Austria’s remaining gambling monopolies will be analysed in relation to both market access and consumer protection.
Sessions will touch upon:
- Legislative and regulatory responses to offshore gambling
- The practical impact of cross-border enforcement and payments restrictions
- Collaboration between regulators, operators, and payment providers
B2B and Compliance: Product Innovation, AML/CFT, and EU Law
B2B opportunities surrounding new licensing models and regulated product categories in Nordrhein-Westfalen and beyond are a conference mainstay. Dr. Damir Boehm (CEO, Tipwin) is scheduled to present on the outlook for re-licensing from 2027 onwards. Sessions cover:
- Legal requirements for new product launches in Germany and Austria
- EU law implications for gaming state monopolies, guided by Prof. Dr. Christian Piska from the University of Vienna
- Adapting to the EU’s new anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) rules, with practical insight from Jochen Biewer (Chevron Group)
Speaker Line-up and Market Intelligence
The initial line-up lists a keynote from a Senior representative of Germany’s Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), followed by: Dr. Joerg Hofmann (Melchers Law Firm), Dr. Dirk Quermann (Deutscher Online Casinoverband), Mathias Dahms (Deutscher Sportwettenverband), and further B2B and regulatory practitioners.
Complementing the regulatory tracks, the conference will also feature market analysis from Josh Hodgson (COO, H2 Gambling Capital) and Jeffrey Haas (Chair, Blask Business Intelligence), supporting decisions with recent data and sector analytics.
Registration and Next Steps
Registration for the Gaming in Germany Conference 2026 is now open. The event is positioned as a central platform for operators, suppliers, and legal counsel active in German, Austrian, and broader European gaming sectors to assess regulatory change, compliance, and new commercial opportunities.
Further updates and the complete agenda will be released closer to the event date via the organiser’s official channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the Gaming in Germany Conference 2026 agenda?
The 2026 agenda is focused on the evaluation of the 2021 State Gambling Treaty, state-level casino licensing developments, enforcement against offshore operators, and the regulatory future of new product types like eSports betting and prediction markets.
Who are the key speakers at the 2026 Gaming in Germany Conference?
The initial speaker roster includes a Senior representative of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Dr. Joerg Hofmann, Dr. Dirk Quermann, Mathias Dahms, Dr. Carsten Bringmann, Alexander Müller, Vasiliki Panousi, and other leading regulatory and B2B figures.
Will the conference address licensing in specific German states?
Yes, licensing and compliance status in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, and Baden-Württemberg will be detailed, with sessions exploring application frameworks and regulatory challenges.
Does the agenda cover regulatory changes in Austria?
Austrian market re-regulation is featured as a dedicated track, including the opening of its regulated online casino sector and implications for existing DACH-region operators.
How can participants register for the Gaming in Germany Conference 2026?
Registration is open for industry participants interested in German, Austrian, and European gambling regulation, with further agenda details to be made available by the organisers closer to the event.
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About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
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