Only one in twelve betting websites in Germany is officially licensed. That’s the warning from the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV or Deutscher Sportwettenverband) as the UEFA Champions League kicks off. The figures underline the scale of the German betting black market, which continues to overshadow the regulated sector – see more details:

• The DSWV reported 382 illegal German-language betting websites against just 34 licensed ones, based on data from the Joint Gambling Authority (GGL). This shows an 11:1 ratio in favor of the German betting black market, putting players at risk of unsafe play and unreliable payouts.

• DSWV President Mathias Dahms warned that illegal operators do not follow rules, offer no security, and raise the risk of gambling addiction. He stressed that legal operators provide player protection, tax revenue, and guaranteed payouts, which the black market cannot.

• Betting volume spikes during the Champions League, the second most-bet competition in Germany after the Bundesliga. DSWV urged players to watch out for illegal websites and said visibility of legal brands through TV and stadium advertising is crucial.

• Players can identify legal operators by checking the GGL whitelist, looking for the official GGL permit logo, and noting who advertises on TV and in stadiums.

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