German lawmakers have approved a new set of regulations that will see the legalization of online casino gaming and online poker from July 1, 2021. The country will also establish a new regulatory authority, based in Sachsen-Anhalt, to supervise its newly regulated online gambling market. Casinos ohne Spiellizenz in Deutschland or unlicensed online casinos will be prohibited in Germany.
Germany’s New Online Gambling Laws – What to Expect in 2021
In February 2020, lawmakers across Germany’s 16 federal states approved a draft treaty on new gambling regulations. As a result, you can expect the following changes to Germany’s gambling laws:
- New licensing options for operators of online casinos and online poker rooms
- Extension of existing licensing options for lotteries and sports betting
- Removal of requirements for television and internet advertising licenses
- Detailed advertising and player protection requirements
- A new gambling regulatory body based in Sachsen-Anhalt
- Safe servers for better supervision of gambling activities
- Strengthening of law enforcement against illegal gambling
- Establishment of a list of 58 administrative offenses, which can be fined up to €500,000
After being signed, the new treaty has to receive the formal consent of 13 federal states before being enforced on July 1, 2021.
You can also look forward to the following changes:
- You will be able to play table games as well as slots at licensed online casinos, but they will be offered separately.
- You cannot bet more than €1 per spin on the slots.
- Slots cannot have jackpots or autoplay.
- Individual states can also impose restrictions on the types of casino games that can be offered.
- Operators cannot run gambling advertisements between 6:00 and 21:00.
Legal Gambling in Germany
Currently, Germany has legalized the following varieties of games:
- Table & Card Games: Private table & card games are legal and you don’t need a license to operate games with buy-ins less than €15. Since you need a license to operate games with higher buy-ins, they are available only at licensed casinos.
- Sports Betting: Sports betting is legal in Germany. The country offers legal online and offline sports betting services through ODDSET. In addition, you can place sports bets at many licensed bookies. Online bookmakers such as 888sport, Bwin, Admiral, LeoVegas, Tipico, and Cashpoint have a license to operate in Germany.
- Lotteries: Playing lotteries is very popular in Germany. Each German state has its own lottery gaming laws and German players can play many private and public lottery games. The DLTB coordinates various state lottery games.
Germany has legalized online lottery gaming, allowing you to play your favourite lottery games at home.
- Slots: The only German states that do not have casinos are Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Thuringia. You will find casinos all over the rest of Germany. Some of these casinos belong to private operators and some are state-owned.
They give you the opportunity to play your favourite slots legally. However, German laws impose several win limits and betting limits on slot machine games. Also, there are rules to help you avoid problem gambling and addiction to gambling. Right now, playing slots online is illegal in Germany.
Major Gambling Laws in Germany
Here is an overview of the major gambling laws in Germany:
- State Treaty on Gambling: The major gambling law in Germany is the State Treaty on Gambling, which was concluded by the country’s 16 federal states on Dec 15, 2011. Each state has implemented this law into its legal machinery.
The State Treaty comprises the basic requirements to organize various forms of gambling across the country. It establishes clear-cut gambling guidelines, especially for the lottery gaming and sports betting industries.
- Interstate Treaty on Gambling: Passed in 2008, it was severely criticized for its non-compliance with the European Union’s free trade policies. Germany had to amend and re-enforce it in 2012. Fifteen German states adopted the law, but Schleswig-Holstein opted to create its own regulatory framework.
- Schleswig-Holstein Gambling Act: The federal state of Schleswig-Holstein passed a Gambling Act in 2012 to give 24 online sports betting sites the license to operate in the state. It repealed the law in 2018 and legalized casino gaming and online sports betting in 2019.
- Casino Acts: Various federal states have passed Casino Acts from time to time in support of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling.
Gambling in Germany FAQs
Is it legal to gamble in Germany?
Germany has legalized several forms of gambling, but with several restrictions. Licensed land-based gambling venues offer only slots and table games. The laws also permit sports betting, lottery gaming, and horse betting.
Has Germany legalized online gambling?
Yes, but with many restrictions. The country grants licenses to domestic online sportsbooks, online lottery sites, and online horse betting sites, according to the gambling laws of individual German states. However, domestic online casinos are illegal all over Germany except in Schleswig-Holstein.
Can I play at offshore online casinos in Germany?
Yes, you can play at offshore online casinos but at your own risk. The government of Germany has no power over online casinos licensed and registered in offshore territories and cannot protect you from fraud. Make sure that the online casino is licensed and reputed before signing up.
How do German laws help me to gamble responsibly and avoid problem gambling?
The legal age of gambling in Germany is 18. The laws permit gambling advertisements only to provide information about legal gambling products and never to encourage gambling. Licensed providers of gambling services ought to inform their customers about responsible gambling practices. Germany also has many non-profit organizations that provide support and treatment for problem gambling and gambling addiction.
Can we expect legal casinos in Germany in the near future?
Most likely. Legal online casinos will soon be available in Germany, but with many restrictions. The country is not comfortable about legalizing online gambling and wants to protect residents from gambling harm at any cost. But the government is willing to give legalized online gambling a chance. As many as 30 reputed operators of online casinos have already submitted their applications for licenses.
