German lottery revenue experienced a downturn in 2021, even though online sales saw a rise.
The German Lottery Association (DLTB) reports that lotteries and associated taxes generated €3.2 billion in income for public benefit, equating to roughly €8.8 million daily. This funding supports welfare initiatives, athletic endeavors, cultural events, historical preservation, and environmental conservation.
Axel Holthaus, co-managing director of Toto-Lotto Niedersachsen and DLTB president since the start of 2021, stated that these outcomes were acceptable given the fluctuations in prize amounts and the shortened accumulation periods for jackpots.
Over the previous year, Lotto 6aus49 remained the most popular lottery game, accounting for 50.6% of total sales across all platforms, totaling €4 billion. This popularity was attributed to modifications to the drawing formula, leading to larger prizes across all categories and more substantial jackpots.
EuroMillions, a pan-European lottery game, also attracted participants, representing 17.7% of sales, or €1.4 billion. However, it experienced a year-over-year decline due to shorter accumulation phases for the jackpot, resulting in smaller prize pools.
Despite the overall decrease in sales, online lottery sales saw a year-on-year increase of 7.8%, reaching €985 million.
Sven Ostov, the head of Hallhuber, declared that this validates the capability of DLTB members to fulfill their duty of steering gambling towards controlled platforms.
Ostov also mentioned that these endeavors profit from the new Interstate Gambling Treaty (GlüNeuRStV) which was enacted on July 1, 2021.
“The widespread political agreement backing the 2021 Interstate Gambling Treaty is a triumph,” Ostov clarified. “Otherwise, a diverse collection of gambling rules would have surfaced, which would have had a detrimental impact on the safeguarding of players and young people.”
Upon assuming the leadership role of DLTB from the Rhineland-Palatinate Lottery Company, commencing a three-year term at Toto-Lower Saxony Lottery Company, Hallhuber declared that one of his top priorities is to enhance cross-state lottery offerings to better contend with the expanding online gambling market.
“We anticipate being able to utilize our digital proficiency to aid DLTB,” Ostov added. “Through this digital transition, it is essential to preserve the objective of serving the common good.”
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