Robin Anstötz examines German gambling regulation from the perspective of sociology, legal theory, and administrative law. The central question is whether German gambling regulation is merely symbolic legislation. He begins with the observation that this area of law has been characterized for years by significant regulatory deficiencies and a highly polarized public and expert debate. In the first part of his work, the author develops a theoretical foundation for defining the term (merely) symbolic legislation. Based on a differentiation between the functional and symbolic dimensions of legislation, an analytical model is designed that systematically compares both aspects and describes them using measurable parameters, making them manageable. On this basis, the problematics of purely symbolic legislation in general are elaborated and situated in legal theory. In the second part, Robin Anstötz examines the application of the model he developed to German gambling law. He analyzes both the functional and symbolic dimensions of the existing regulation. First, structural deficits in applicability are identified, followed by a detailed analysis of specific deficits in applicability and effectiveness in selected areas of gambling law. To this end, current findings from relevant scientific disciplines are evaluated. This gives the reader a better understanding of the causes and consequences of normative dysfunctions in gambling law.