Announcement of financial support for scientific investigations by the German Foundation for Gambling Research
New Foundation Dedicated to Gambling Research Launches in Germany
The German Foundation for Gambling Research (Deutsche Stiftung Glücksspiel-Forschung) made its public debut at the Science Congress Center Garching on May 28, 2024. This joint project brings together the Thuringian State Lottery AoR, Tipico Technology Holding GmbH, François-Blanc Casino GmbH Bad Homburg v. d. Hohe, and Dr. Daniel Henzgen from Löwen Entertainment.
The foundation aims to contribute to a pluralistic academic discourse around gambling research in Germany. To achieve this, it plans to establish an annual conference to foster networking among researchers, advance scientific discourse, and honour outstanding academic achievements.
One of the foundation's key initiatives is the annual awarding of up to three "German Innovation Prizes for Gambling Research," each with a prize of €200,000. Additionally, it will offer the "German Young Researcher Prize for Gambling Research" to a scientist with less than 10 years of experience, with a prize of €30,000. Applications for these prizes will be open from May 28, 2024, to September 30, 2024, with the first award ceremony planned for spring 2025.
The foundation's goals align with the need for more research in the field, as emphasized by the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). This research is crucial for understanding various aspects of gambling, such as player protection and the impact of advertising.
The foundation seeks to fund scientific research that addresses social, psychological, economic, and legal aspects of gambling. It encourages interdisciplinary approaches, combining expertise from fields such as psychology, economics, public health, and law. The foundation also supports projects that analyse the impact of gambling regulations and contribute to the development of effective prevention and harm reduction strategies.
The foundation aims to incentivize academic treatment of gambling-related research questions and contribute to a "better understanding and prevention of gambling-related problems." This is particularly relevant in light of the recent criticisms faced by published gambling research in Germany and the upcoming evaluation of the State Gambling Treaty in 2026.
Knut Walter, CEO of the German Foundation for Gambling Research, stated that the financial recognition of research is an important factor in gaining more scientific insights. The foundation's initiatives are expected to play a significant role in providing evidence-based insights for policy and public health measures, especially amid evolving regulations like Germany’s new Interstate Treaty on Gambling (ISTG 2024).
For precise and updated details about the German Foundation for Gambling Research, including specific calls for proposals, research themes, or partnerships, official German governmental or foundation websites would be the best source. The foundation's work is reported by the magazine games & business.
The German Foundation for Gambling Research, launched in Germany, has plans to fund scientific research on various aspects of gambling, which includes online casinos in Germany. As part of their initiatives, they will offer annual awards to scholars, such as the "German Innovation Prizes for Gambling Research" and the "German Young Researcher Prize for Gambling Research." These awards, intended to support education and self-development in the field, align with the foundation's goal of encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to gambling-related research, including casino and gambling studies.
