German gambling sites can be found by those German players who are industrious enough to know where to look for them. It can be a tricky situation for gamblers for Germany since the laws concerning online gambling are somewhat contradictory and confusing. Luckily, those Germans who wish to do some online wagering can place their bets with top gambling sites in physical locations where such operations are legal.
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You might not know from the gambling laws within the country that German actually boasts a strong gambling culture. Sports wagering is readily accepted in the European country, and there are casinos spread throughout the country. Yet online gambling is a bit of murkier world.
Online gambling in Germany is technically illegal on a national level. But there are state laws that differ. And enforcement of the ban is essentially nonexistent on the side of the gamblers.
What that means is that legit online gambling sites from around the world are essentially open to German gamblers, or “punters” as they are sometimes labeled in the country. Choosing between those sites can be a tricky proposition. That’s why we’re here to help you by yielding as much information as we can about German gambling sites.
In addition, it is expected that the licence will allow GIG to integrate with the larger payment providers, making GIG’s sports and casino offering more available to German end-users. The licence will thus strengthen GIG’s overall offering in the German market. Germany is the 2ndlargest iGaming market in Europe, and the country’s online. Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2012/2020. The main legal framework governing both terrestrial and online gambling is the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2012/2020 (Interstate Treaty, commonly abbreviated as: IST 2012/2020), which sets out the main objectives and core elements of German gambling regulation. The unidentified German punter thought that his online play was fully legal — and in -federal- German terms, it was — and the Bavarian player even cited the prominent advertising deals, separately featuring Boris Becker and the Bayern Munich football team, both of whom have major ad deals with online gambling sites. The third amendment of the State Treaty on Gambling states that online gambling in most of its forms in Germany is illegal, with the exception of sports betting and the state-run lotteries, as well as within the geographic constraints of the Schleswig-Holstein province, where there is a special law that allows it. The Hessian state secretary for the interior ministry has urged members of its parliament to approve the planned German gambling treaty, as he touted his state's stewardship of sports-betting licensing.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a detailed list of websites that will provide online gambling to German gamblers. We’ll also take a look at what makes these sites so solid and the banking setups for these sites. Laws in the country concerning online gambling will also be addressed so that, if you are checking in from Germany, you’ll know what to expect.
Top Online Gambling Sites Accepting Players from Germany
The following list displays the very best of the best when it comes to online gambling for German players. We have done the research and come up with the cream of the crop. If you live in Germany and want to get started in the world of internet gambling, these are the best places to start.
Rank | DE Gambling Site | Deposit Bonus | Products | Get Started | |
#1 | 100% Up To €250 |
| Visit Site | ||
#2 | Europa Casino | 200% Up To €500 |
| Visit Site | |
#3 | 100% Up To €400 |
| Visit Site | ||
#4 | 22Bet | 100% Up To €300 |
| Visit Site | |
#5 | 100% Up To €400 |
| Visit Site |
Online Gambling License Germany Free
When dealing with German gambling sites, you have to understand that the phrase is actually a bit misleading. While there are a few sports books that are allowed to operate in the country, none of the sites that we have included in the list below are actually German websites. But they do allow gamblers from Germany, which is what really matters.
Because German lawmakers and law enforcers don’t actively pursue those players who gamble online with sites that operate outside of the country, there really aren’t any restrictions for players. They can essentially choose the safest, most reputable gambling sites in the world as if they were residents of a country where online gambling was legal.
We advise you to check out these sites for yourself to see which is the right fit. It is important, perhaps for Germans more than citizens of any other countries, to choose their site wisely. After all, since the activity of online gambling is technically illegal by the letter of the law, authorities will not help out any citizen who has an issue with their treatment from a site.
That’s why it crucial to look before you leap in terms of choosing among German gambling sites. Otherwise, you could end up wasting your money on an unsavory site run by scammers. You are much better off sticking with legitimate, established operations.
How Do I Know These Sites Are Legit?
Deposit Methods
Conclusion
What Are the Gambling Laws in Germany?
If you are planning to partake in online gambling in Germany, it might be a good idea to take an in-depth look at the laws concerning the activity. That might be the best way for you to feel comfortable with your decision to move ahead.
For the sake of a quick look in this article, however, let’s just say that the laws on online wagering are confusing, to say the least. Like the United States, Germany is comprised of states with their own sets of laws. And, in many cases, these states will enact and enforce laws that could be considered contradictory to the laws of the overarching German government.
At the time of this writing, gambling online within the country of Germany is illegal. But what does that mean? Does that apply to sites trying to establish an online operation in Germany, or to German players who are doing the gambling?
On top of that, there is the fact that Germany is part of the European Union. And there are several countries within the EU where online gambling organizations are legal. Does that mean that German gamblers are OK to gamble there?
What makes it even more confusing is that gambling, as a whole, is legal in the country. Casinos are popular destinations and can be found throughout the country. Sports betting is also popular in the country and perfectly legal at sportsbooks locations.
Meanwhile, certain states have allowed licenses to some gambling operators to operate online in their jurisdictions. That seems to be a direct contradiction of the federal law. It’s enough to make your head spin.
So what does it all mean for the German gambler who wants to play some casino games online or place a sports bet in the same manner? Well, for the most part, you can go ahead and operate without concern. That’s because no prosecutions have ever taken place within the country for those who are trying to gamble online.
At the very worst, there conceivably could come a time when a site might not be allowed to accept money from the country. But, as far as we know, that isn’t the case right now.
And, the way the regulatory winds are blowing within Germany, it seems that a posture of leniency in terms of gambling laws seems to be taking hold. That means that it’s doubtful that the worst-case scenario is in the offing.
If you live in Germany and you want to gamble online, there’s really nothing stopping you. Just make sure to do your research before making the jump to ensure you end up gambling with a trustworthy site.
How Do I Know These Sites You’ve Recommended Are Legit?
It’s natural, even savvy, to think twice before settling on a gambling website. Sites that are reputable and honest are few and far between. Since you’re going to putting real money at stake on these German gambling sites, it’s understandable to be cautious about it.
Rest assured that we insist any online gambling site that we recommend is held to the strictest standards and criteria. You can believe that the sites that we’ve listed all pass muster in these areas, or else they wouldn’t be on this page.
But what if you were to encounter a Germany gambling site on your own that isn’t listed above? Let’s say you want to give it a shot. Well, you should be careful, and you should only commit if the following qualities are proven to be in place:
Customer Service Excellence
You are going to be gambling real money on this site, perhaps large sums of that money. As a result, you need to know that you will have any problems that might come up quickly addressed and solved. Otherwise, you could be left in the lurch.
Look for a site that makes clear its customer service contact information, and it’s ideal if there are several ways to contact them. Make sure that, in their initial dealings with you, they are courteous and professional, without doing too much of a hard sell to get your business. Finally, you should check out the experiences that past customers have had and see if they were positive or negative.
Lucrative Bonus Structure
A German gambling site that doesn’t offer you some sort of bonus for signing on with them is probably not established enough to be trusted. Most legit gambling sites aggressively court players. After all, the competition among gambling sites is intense, and those sites are looking for serious gamblers.
You need to go in with an idea of what you’re looking for in terms of incentives. Perhaps you need that initial deposit boost if you are only planning on gambling occasionally with the site. Or, if you intend to frequent the site with regularity, it might be better for you to have VIP bonuses coming your way.
In any case, make sure that you read the fine print for any bonus that you think might be worthwhile. You don’t want to be disappointed to find that you’re getting less than you expected.
Variety of Betting Options
The best gambling sites for German players are those that offer the widest selection of betting opportunities. Yes, Germany possesses many casinos and sportsbooks. But the benefit of gambling online is that you can do so with the utmost convenience, using your computer, tablet or phone, from wherever you might be located.
Ideally, your site of choice will be a kind of one-stop shop for your gambling needs. That means that it should include every type of casino entertainment, from the various table games to the many brands of slot machines and video poker on the market. It should also give you ample opportunity to bet on many different sports on an international level.
What Deposit Methods Are Available for German Gamblers?
Your banking options for participating in German gambling sites are varied. You really have to see what the site is all about in terms of what they can offer. And, if you’re unfamiliar with the concept of deposits, withdrawals and banking in general for online gambling and you’ll have a good foundation.
Here are some of the more widespread methods for German players:
- Credit Card or Bank Card Payments: This is the most common method of funding for online gambling accounts. When you set up your account with the site that you eventually choose, you will enter all of the pertinent information. You can then deposit funds as you wish for your gambling needs.
- PayPal: The online payment merchant basically removes a step or two from the process, streamlining your online gambling deposits. Obviously, you would need a PayPal account first, which is backed by a credit card or bank card in the first place.
- Cryptocurrency: Not all sites are yet on board with digital coins, but many of the top ones listed above have the ability to accept Bitcoin and other top offerings. Cryptocurrency is well-suited to the online gambling world since it provides extra layers of personal privacy and monetary security. On top of that, it operates beyond all borders, meaning that German gamblers can get access to sites anywhere in the world.
You also have to be aware of withdrawal policies for any site that you find that allows German gamblers to participate. After all, the ability to get your funds back into your hands in a timely fashion is crucial to the online gambling experience. Honest, legit sites will make their withdrawal guidelines clear and will follow them without exception.
Conclusion
If you plan on being a regular online gambler in Germany, you should go into the process with clear eyes about the laws and procedures. German gambling sites, instead of being located within the country, are, for now anyway, those sites around the world that allow Germans to gamble with them.
But the bottom line is that they are open for business to German gamblers ready to play and win.
A meeting of Germany’s heads of state in Berlin saw lawmakers approve gambling regulations to legalise online poker and casino from 1 July, 2021, as well as deciding on the location of the country’s new regulatory authority.
The Glücksspielneuregulierungstaatsvertrag (GlüNeuRStv), which expands the nationally regulated igaming market beyond online betting for the first time, must now be ratified by each state parliament and submitted to the European Commission for approval before it can be brought into effect.
According to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA), the market will be overseen by a new regulatory authority, established through the GlüNeuRStV, based in Sachsen-Anhalt. Sources in Germany described this decision as “surprising”.
The likes of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse – which is handling the sports betting licensing process set out in the third amended State Treaty on Gambling – were all understood to be interested in hosting this body.
Legal sources said there had not been any substantial changes to the terms of the GlüNeuRStV already made public. This suggests that while sports betting, online poker and online casino games including slots will indeed be permitted, they can only be offered with significant restrictions.
For sports betting, this limits live betting to markets on the final result or next scorer, something that has been criticised by bodies such as operator association the Deutscher Sportwettenverband.
Slots, meanwhile, will be subject to a €1 per spin stake limit, and must be offered separately to table games, with no autoplay function and no jackpots. States will also have an effective veto on whether to allow table games, and could give their lotteries a monopoly over the product.
The mandatory deposit limit of €1,000 across all providers first included in the third State Treaty will remain in effect, while operators will not be allowed to advertise between 6am and 9pm. The German association of private broadcasters, Vaunet, has argued that this will not only impact efforts to channel players to legal offerings, but also reduce potential advertising revenue for media businesses.
Online Gambling License Germany Application
Before the GlüNeuRStV comes into force, the third State Treaty remains in place, limiting the market to online betting until 30 June, 2021. This came into force in January this year, though the Regional Council of Darmstadt, the body in the state of Hesse responsible for processing licnces, is yet to issue its first approvals.
Online Gaming License Germany
In February it said it had received 30 applications, with a further 20 operators signalling their intention to apply, and that it was preparing to license a number of operators.
Online Gambling License Germany Official
Should all 50 be approved, it said, this would channel up to 99% of sports betting activity into the legal market.
Online Gambling License Germany Online
This will be accompanied by enforcement action against operators that have continued to serve German players without applying. Around 100 companies were warned over operating without a licence, prompting 10 to withdraw from the market.