FIFA World Cup 2026 betting: Germany’s World Cup gambling problem is getting worse and legal sportsbooks are furious
Germany's betting industry fears the 2026 World Cup will drive customers to illegal offshore platforms due to strict regulations and high taxes.Summary
Germany's betting industry is warning that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could trigger a massive surge in illegal gambling activity. Licensed operators argue that strict regulations, high taxes, deposit limits, and restricted betting options are pushing customers toward offshore platforms. Industry groups estimate that hundreds of millions of euros could leave the regulated market during the tournament. The Deutscher Sportwettenverband (DSWV) projects that German customers could wager over €1 billion during the World Cup, with between €300 million and €400 million potentially going to unregulated offshore sites. The criticism centers on Germany's 5% betting tax and restrictions on live betting products, which licensed operators believe make them uncompetitive compared to offshore sites. The DSWV president, Mathias Dahms, expects the tournament to generate betting activity equivalent to an additional month of revenue for many operators. While licensed operators promote regulated platforms as safer due to stronger player protection systems, regulators have shown little sign of relaxing the rules. The industry hopes the World Cup will force a broader conversation about whether Germany's gambling laws are protecting consumers or pushing them away from the regulated market altogether.
(Source：Times of India)