iGaming Germany 2026: A Worthy Final Day for Germany's Premier Gaming Event
The second and final day of iGaming Germany 2026 split into two dedicated streams at the NOVOTEL München Messe in Munich, with the Online Operations track running alongside the Inaugural Gaming Retail Summit. Different rooms, one aligned conversation: what does the future of German gaming actually look like in practice?
Jan Feuerhake of Taylor Wessing returned to chair the online stream, opening with a panel that got straight to one of the market's most uncomfortable tensions: whether Germany's regulated gambling environment can realistically compete on a commercial level.
Responsible gaming took centre stage next, examined not as a compliance obligation but as a strategic lever. A conversation on preventing black market drift explored how responsible gaming initiatives and player incentives can actively strengthen regulated channels rather than simply protect against harm.
Tech Empowered Partnerships, a discussion on AI, automation and data, looked at how smart partnerships and smarter tools are reshaping operational efficiency across the industry. That was followed by a focused conversation on AI and SEO, with Bernd Henning of iGamingConsult.com and Gesina Kunkel of impulsQ GmbH examining how search behaviour is shifting and what operators need to do to keep pace.
The online stream closed with one of the day's most spirited exchanges, an exchange on future-proofing the player experience that took on the macro forces and strategic decisions set to define German online gaming through 2026 and beyond.
Running concurrently, the retail stream made a strong first impression in its inaugural year. Chaired by Jochen Biewer of Chevron Group, it opened with Claudia Wegner of Rechtsanwältin Wegner and Biewer himself in a breakdown on the long-term viability of physical betting shops, a question the industry has been circling for years and finally brought into a dedicated forum.
Claudia reflected:
“We had a fantastic inaugural Retail Gaming Summit in Munich! Sports betting in Germany
started in retail and it is still contributing to around 40% of the revenues of licensed operators.
Retail franchises are working hard to comply with various legal obligations of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV2021), as well as additional requirements across the16 federal states. We had a vital discussion about AML, player protection, advertising restrictions and the future outlook.”
Sessions covered the operational realities of running high-volume retail environments, the opportunity to re-engage audiences through horse racing, and how hyperlocal TV advertising through addressable media can drive footfall to regulated retail outlets. Ingo Kulbach of Sport1 GmbH and Dr. Martin Rupp of Sky Deutschland made a compelling case for targeted, region-specific media as a tool for channelisation.
The MLRO in Retail: Navigating AML Obligations in a Physical Environment put one of retail's most demanding roles under review, with Kaan Deniz (Retail & iGaming Consultant, Player Protection Expert), Nikolas Lotz (Chevron Group), and Sebastian Funke (EnBet Consulting) getting into the details of what it takes to manage AML obligations when the environment is physical and fast-moving.
Both streams came together for farewell drinks, and the spirit of the sessions carried right into the evening. This is a community that knows itself well, and the room reflected that warmth entirely. Old friendships, new connections, and the kind of energy that only comes when people genuinely care about the industry they are in.
Nino Silagadze (Georgian Gambling Association) commented on her experience:
“It was a fantastic event! The organisation was top-notch, and the team was incredibly attentive.
My biggest highlight was definitely connecting with so many amazing professionals.”
On the value of this year’s gathering, Antony Jordan (ODDSET Sportwetten GmbH) expressed:
“The 6th Annual iGaming Germany summit in Munich has been an excellent and insightful event that has highlighted the current state of the market, as well as shined a light on the innovations that will bring positive change for the future. An absolute must-not-miss conference and I can’t wait for the 2027 event.”
As the industry carries this incredible momentum forward, anticipation is already building for next year’s edition, which promises to return with a continued focus on supporting the community and growing together.
iGaming Germany 2026 officially closed with a lot to reflect on and a great deal more to look forward to.
Catch more highlights and key moments from the event on the official website: https://www.eventus-international.com/igg
