The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) has warned just one in every 12 German betting sites are legal, ahead of the start of the Champions League.
The Champions League gets underway on Tuesday, with the tournament the second most bet-on in Germany following the Bundesliga.
According to a DSWV press release on Monday, the volume of betting has “skyrocketed” around the start of the Champions League, with players needing to be particularly vigilant to ensure they bet with licensed operators.
The DSWV claims there are at least 382 illegal German-language websites offering sports betting, compared to just 34 legal betting sites.
DSWV President Mathias Dahms says this 11:1 ratio “puts players at risk”, warning of the impacts from illegal betting.
“In the legal sports betting market, players benefit from guaranteed player protection, reliable payouts and tax revenue for the common good,” Dahms said.
“Illegal providers in the black market, on the other hand, do not adhere to any rules, offer no security and have a higher risk of gambling addiction.”
The DSWV stressed players are also at risk of criminal proceedings, with a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment or a fine applicable to those found participating in illegal sports betting.
Advertising crucial for identifying licensed operators
In the view of Dahms and the DSWV, advertising is crucial to make it easier for sports bettors to differentiate between licensed and unlicensed operators.
Dahms noted the importance to licensed companies of being visibile during Champions League matches, particularly on advertising hoardings around stadiums and through TV ads.
In the Champions League and the Bundesliga, only licensed operators are allowed to advertise in the arena and on TV.
The DSWV also highlighted the white list of licensed operators, which is available on the website of the regulator, Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL).
Additionally, legal providers display a clearly visible GGL logo on their sites, while only licensed operators offer comprehensive player protection measures.
Dahms concluded: “It is in the common interest of regulators, providers and players to strengthen the legal market and push back the black market.
“This is the only way to ensure player protection, integrity and tax revenues.”
With betting volume “skyrocketing” ahead of the start of the Champions League, the DSWV is urging German bettors to be wary to use licensed offerings.