Regulatory Developments

Second Amendment Treaty to the GlüStV 2021 (2026)

Signed in March 2026, effective once all 16 states ratify

Last verified: 2026-09-20

The 2. GlüÄndStV 2021 widens GGL query powers, clarifies OASIS checks and revises the legal basis for network blocks. It takes effect after all 16 states ratify it.

Second amendment treaty to the GlüStV 2021 (2026)

Overview

A second amendment treaty (2. GlüÄndStV 2021) was signed by the states between 2 and 26 March 2026. It changes the treaty in specific points: wider query powers for the GGL, clearer duties to check the OASIS exclusion system with matching administrative offences, a revised legal basis for network blocks (IP blocking), simpler contract handling by the GGL's administrative board, confidentiality of board sessions and a simpler appointment of the auditor.

The interior ministers conference approved the draft on 11 to 13 June 2025 and it was notified to the European Commission, which on 20 January 2026 asked for clarification with regard to the Digital Services Act. The treaty enters into force on the day after the last ratification instrument is deposited, so all 16 states must ratify it. The summary report of the statutory evaluation is due by 31 December 2026 and a further amendment is planned to follow.

Senate submission listing the main changes and the entry-into-force clause. [1]

Signature and ratification documents. [2]

Gazette annex with the signed treaty and protocol declarations. [3]

Key facts

  • Verified

    A second amendment treaty to the GlüStV 2021 (2. GlüÄndStV 2021) was signed by the states between 2 and 26 March 2026; it changes the treaty in specific points: wider query powers for the GGL (including national and foreign police and prosecution authorities and the financial intelligence unit), clearer duties to check the OASIS exclusion system with matching administrative offences, a revised legal basis for network blocks (IP blocking), simpler handling of contracts by the GGL's administrative board, confidentiality of board sessions and a simpler appointment of the auditor.

    Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (Senator for Interior and Sport), Hessischer Landtag, Land Brandenburg (BRAVORS)

  • Verified

    The second amendment treaty enters into force on the day after the last ratification instrument is deposited, so all 16 states must ratify it.

    Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (Senator for Interior and Sport)

  • Verified

    The draft second amendment was approved by the interior ministers conference on 11 to 13 June 2025 and notified to the European Commission; on 20 January 2026 the Commission asked for clarification with regard to the Digital Services Act, and Malta submitted a detailed opinion.

    Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (Senator for Interior and Sport)

  • Unverified

    Trade press, quoting a Lower Saxony government release, reports that on 18 August 2026 the Lower Saxony cabinet decided to introduce its ratification bill for the second amendment treaty into the Landtag, with the other 15 states running parallel procedures.

    ISA-GUIDE

  • Verified

    The GlüStV 2021 requires an evaluation (§ 32); the summary evaluation report is due by 31 December 2026, and a further amendment of the treaty is planned to follow it.

    Land Brandenburg (BRAVORS), Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (Senator for Interior and Sport), Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL)

  • Verified

    In a protocol declaration to the second amendment treaty, Saxony-Anhalt asked that the evaluation report and the following amendment also consider the arcade rules (§§ 24 to 26 GlüStV 2021, in particular the ban on multiple concessions in § 25) and an opening clause giving states more room for their own decisions.

    Land Brandenburg (BRAVORS)

Sources

  1. Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (Senator for Interior and Sport)Primary source — Senate submission of 3 March 2026: Zweiter Staatsvertrag zur Änderung des Glücksspielstaatsvertrags 2021 — https://www.rathaus.bremen.de/sixcms/media.php/13/20260303_top_6_Aenderung_Gluecksspielvertrag.pdf
  2. Hessischer LandtagPrimary source — Drucksache 21/4544: Gesetzentwurf zum Zweiten Staatsvertrag zur Änderung des Glücksspielstaatsvertrags 2021 — https://starweb.hessen.de/cache/DRS/21/4/04544.pdf
  3. Land Brandenburg (BRAVORS)Primary source — GVBl. I Nr. 21/2026, Anlage: Zweiter Staatsvertrag zur Änderung des Glücksspielstaatsvertrags 2021 — https://bravors.brandenburg.de/fm/76/GVBl_I_21_2026-Anlage.pdf