Gambling authorities from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein (DACHL) gathered in Bern for their annual summit to address the expanding challenges posed by illicit digital gaming networks. Hosted by Swiss regulators including the Federal Gaming Board, the Federal Office of Justice, and Gespa the two-day conference centered on reinforcing multi-jurisdictional cooperation, evaluating data-sharing mechanisms, and responding to novel digital betting products across Central Europe.
 

Joint Enforcement and Cross-Border Exclusion Frameworks

The Swiss Federal Gaming Board identified unauthorized online gambling as the primary threat currently facing regional regulatory oversight. Unlicensed operators routinely use offshore hosting and mirror domains to cross borders, undermining national licensing regimes, taxation, and player protection mandates.

A major focus of the discussions involved the evaluation of the player-exclusion agreement active between Switzerland and Liechtenstein since January 2025. The bilateral system enables reciprocal enforcement of self-exclusion and mandatory gambling bans across both jurisdictions. Building on this framework, DACHL delegates explored expanding player-exclusion data sharing to include Germany and Austria, aiming to prevent excluded individuals from accessing legal platforms in neighboring markets.
 

Prediction Markets and Integrity Protocols

Delegates also assessed regulatory approaches to emerging financial and event-based gambling products, specifically prediction markets. Platforms allowing users to trade contracts on political, economic, or sports outcomes have drawn increased scrutiny across European jurisdictions, prompting DACHL authorities to align monitoring methodologies while continuing to classify such mechanics under statutory betting laws.

In the sports betting segment, regulators reviewed the ongoing implementation of the Council of Europe's Macolin Convention. Discussions focused on expanding formal communication channels among enforcement agencies, sports federations, and licensed operators to combat match-fixing and protect integrity across regional sporting events. While no formal legislative changes were enacted during the Bern summit, the DACHL regulators agreed to accelerate information exchanges and coordinate regulatory actions to counter illegal operators across the region.

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