Länder sign second amendment to the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021
The Länder signed the 2. GlüÄndStV 2021 in March 2026, revising blocking powers against intermediaries; it takes effect after all ratifications.
By Oliwer Brewitz, Head of Marketing
Key changes
- Blocking powers extended to DSA intermediary service providers
- Expanded data sharing between regulators and other authorities
- New administrative offences on blocking-file matching
- Entry into force after all Länder ratify
What changed
The Zweiter Staatsvertrag zur Änderung des Glücksspielstaatsvertrags 2021 (2. GlüÄndStV 2021) was signed by the Länder between 2 and 26 March 2026; Bavaria's signature is dated 24 March 2026. The Bavarian Landtag approved it on 17 June 2026 and it was published in the Bavarian gazette on 13 July 2026. The treaty revises § 9 so that, after prior notice, regulators can order intermediary service providers under the EU Digital Services Act, including pure transmission services, to remove or block illegal gambling offers where action against the operator is not feasible. It also widens data sharing with authorities such as BaFin and the Bundesnetzagentur, adds reliability checks and creates new administrative offences.
What it means for advertising
The treaty revises the blocking norm that the Federal Administrative Court limited in March 2025. Once in force, it is likely to make blocking of illegal offers through intermediaries more effective. The texts reviewed do not add new advertising rules for licensed operators, but intermediaries that carry or transmit illegal gambling content are likely to receive more orders. Licensed operators are not the target of these powers.
What operators should do
Note that the treaty enters into force only on the day after the last ratification instrument is deposited, so the timing depends on all Länder parliaments. Monitor the Länder ratifications and the separate evaluation of the GlüStV 2021, which is due by 31 December 2026 and may lead to wider changes, including to advertising rules. Media partners should prepare for faster takedown requests once the treaty applies.
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