The Black Market in Germany: Unintended Consequences of Monthly Deposit Limits

By

Denitsa Lyutskanova

Denitsa Lyutskanova Chief Editor

Denitsa Lyutskanova is the Head of Content at iGaming.com and a passionate advocate for Safer Gambling. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, she has been with the company since 2011, working across 20+ markets. Denitsa leads a growing team of 30+ talented content writers and editors, driving impactful content strategies while promoting responsible gaming practices.

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· Chief Editor Last Updated: March 19, 2026

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Germany’s regulated online gambling market was intended to protect players, but growing evidence suggests it may be doing the opposite. According to the most recent industry data, the black market accounts for over 50% of all activity in the country.

In the short video above, Prof. Dr. Andreas Ditsche, CEO of iGaming.com, and Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO of Mindway AI, discuss the unintended consequences of Germany’s €1,000 monthly deposit limit.

What Happens When Players Hit Their Monthly Deposit Limits?

When German players reach their €1,000 monthly deposit threshold, do they simply wait until next month? According to Kjaergaard, there is another, unfortunately more realistic, scenario:

Mindway AI’s GameScanner software is used to flag at-risk players and allow operators to intervene early to help them.

Yet safer gambling tools and measures can only protect players who remain within the regulated market.

Data from Mindway AI’s German customers shows a recurring pattern. Players engage with regulated platforms at the start of each month, only to disappear once their deposit limits are reached, most likely continuing their activity on unlicensed offshore sites.

A Regulatory Framework That Misses the Mark

Rather than creating conditions where licensed operators can compete with the black market, Germany’s strict rules make offshore platforms more attractive by comparison. This is something we see across the board, with illegal gambling in Europe on the rise.

Until regulators acknowledge this gap and adapt their framework accordingly, the black market will continue to thrive, with player protection at stake.

Listen to the full episode of the iGamingCare podcast for more first-hand industry insights from Kjaergaard.