Badge of honor for Georg Wacker: recognition for commitment to gambling research

Badge of honor for Georg Wacker: recognition for commitment to gambling research

On July 4, 2025, the university's badge of honor was awarded to Georg Wacker, managing director of Staatliche Toto-Lotto GmbH Baden-Württemberg, at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart. The occasion was the Dies academicus, a university day celebrating outstanding achievements. Wacker received the award for his commitment and support to the Gambling Research Center, which was founded in 2004 to promote interdisciplinary research in the field of gambling. Prof. Dr. Andreas Pyka, member of the Rectorate, presented the honor and highlighted Wacker's role as an important companion and supporter. University of Hohenheim reports that Wacker has made a special contribution to the ongoing support of the research center by the state of Baden-Württemberg.

The Gambling Research Center, which was founded by Tilman Becker at the suggestion of Wolfgang Crusen, sees itself as a nationwide lighthouse in gambling research. It aims to examine gambling from various perspectives such as law, economics, psychology and medicine. Since 2020, the research center has received funding from the state of Baden-Württemberg, which supports ongoing work and research in this sensitive area. Wikipedia informs that Members of the research center come from over 20 specialist areas and more than 200 participants come together in symposiums on gambling issues every year.

Main topics of research

The research center specializes in various topics. These include, among others, the early detection of gambling problems, the role of advertising on social media and the challenges of stigmatization of gamblers. Research into the gambling market is also supported by political economic analysis to understand the impact of regulatory measures on gambling behavior. This interdisciplinary approach is central to the objectives of the research center. The research page further explains that The topics also include prevention, therapy and the taxation of gambling.

Georg Wacker, who was born in Ulm on January 9, 1962, not only made a name for himself in the gaming industry, but also had a political career. He was a member of the state parliament of Baden-Württemberg from 1996 to 2017 and held various positions, including youth policy spokesman for the CDU and political state secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport from 2006 to 2011. He has headed Toto-Lotto GmbH since January 1, 2018. Wacker is recognized not only for his entrepreneurial successes, but also for his significant contributions to research.

In recent years, the research center has organized numerous scientific lectures and symposia to address the challenges in the gambling sector. These events provide platforms for exchange between scientists, practitioners and the public, which is of great importance for the further development of gambling regulation. The research results have far-reaching implications that influence not only gambling policy but also society's perception of gambling.