For companies and private individuals with different consulting concerns
Regulation and civil law issues relating to gambling.
Dr. Nik Sarafi advises gambling operators, advertisers and players. We assist with regulatory proceedings, review contracts and provide criminal defence in gambling matters. Private payment disputes are assessed separately based on the operator, period and documents.
Discuss your matterYour point of contact: Gambling law
Attorney-at-law · Founder & Managing Director
Dr. Nik Sarafi represents creators, streamers and other parties involved in press and speech law disputes. Other focal areas include media and gaming law as well as digital business models. He is responsible for the direction of the law firm.
To the team profileAdvice & representation
Supply, provider, period and affected countries shape the legal assessment. Companies also need to design the product, regulatory requirements and communication with authorities. In the case of private concerns, on the other hand, the focus is on the specific process and possible civil claims. Advice therefore begins with the delimitation of the facts; no legal assessment is yet based on industry affiliation alone.
We provide support in the legal classification of a business model as well as with regulatory issues and official proceedings. To do this, we need a detailed description of the offer, participants and markets. Responsibility and scope of advice are determined for the specific project.
Does a criminal investigation concern your gambling service, advertising or participation as a player? Dr. Nik Sarafi represents operators, advertisers and players before public prosecutors and criminal courts. Send the correspondence you have received and any known deadlines so we can discuss taking on your case and the next steps.
Explore criminal defenceAgreements with service providers, partners and advertisers must be considered in connection with the product offered. We review the contractual basis and specific conflicts. If the issue concerns media law, advertising or data protection, these issues are included in the coordination of the mandate.
On competition law at SARAFI.MEDIENRECHTIn the event of a dispute over payments or other transactions, we need the exact provider, time period and complete evidence. We will clarify whether an individual audit can be carried out. Reimbursement or enforceability of claims is not required without review of the individual case.
Specific enquiries
Gambling operators, advertisers and players
We provide criminal defence concerning gambling services, advertising and participation. The official notice, the specific publication and the relevant period are important for the initial assessment.
Enquire about criminal defenceWe review the notice and how your service is structured. This includes the companies and markets involved, previous administrative decisions and the planned response to the authority.
Gambling law enquiryPublicly documented
Legal publication · September 2026
Christian Koenig and Dr. Nik Sarafi are the authors of “Die Aufsicht über Online-Glücksspiele hat sich unionsrechtswidrig verstrickt”. The contribution appeared in MMR-Aktuell 2026, 01400, issue 16/2026 of 9 September 2026.
View the contribution on beck-onlineExternal reporting
heise online reports on interim decisions by the Halle Administrative Court concerning gambling supervision and quotes Nik Sarafi as a lawyer involved in the proceedings. The article illustrates the connection between digital access, regulatory measures and gambling regulation.
Report on heise onlineMedia report dated 26 February 2025
In its report on the criminal proceedings against Ron Bielecki, B.Z. identifies Dr. Nik Sarafi as defence counsel. The article dated 26 February 2025 describes a discontinuance subject to a monetary condition and records the procedural position at that time.
Court report in B.Z.The reports concern the proceedings identified and their status at the time. Outcomes cannot be applied to other cases without examining the circumstances.
The first request
First, briefly describe the facts. We will coordinate with you how to submit further documents.
Working with us
Before the assignment, we agree on the scope of services and remuneration. When taking over, we will name your legal contact person.
They describe the facts, the parties involved and known deadlines.
We agree on performance and compensation and name your contact person.
The responsible lawyer will check your documents and coordinate the procedure with you.
Gambling law
We advise operators, advertisers and players on regulatory, contractual and criminal matters, as well as individuals with civil law issues. We distinguish these issues at the enquiry stage to clarify the appropriate scope of advice and responsibility.
It is not possible to make a general statement. Vendor, offer, period, facts and evidence must be reviewed. Practical enforceability must also be distinguished from an initial legal classification.
The full letter, including attachments and access details. Add the previous history, the affected offer and previous answers. Explicitly state all dates mentioned in the letter.
Now published
Criminal law, gambling regulation and EU law are closely connected. Dr Nik Sarafi’s handbook examines these connections and their implications for legal practice and court proceedings.
The book addresses criminal liability for organising, advertising and participating in gambling, alongside confiscation and money laundering. It also covers digital business models and advertising by influencers, streamers and affiliates.
First edition 2026 · 226 pages
ISBN 978-3-8114-6575-6. Published by C.F. Müller in the Praxis der Strafverteidigung series. The book is in German. Visit the publisher for orders, pricing and delivery terms.
SARAFI.GAMBLING LAW
Briefly describe your case and known deadlines. We clarify the takeover, the scope of services and the remuneration.
English translation of our German website. Statutory references concern German or EU law. The German original remains available through the language selector.