German online casinos for Real Money

As of 2023, Germany has undergone significant updates in its gambling laws and regulations. A major change is the centralization of the gambling licensing process. Previously, the responsibility for granting online gambling licenses in Germany was distributed among the 16 Federal States. However, since January 1, 2023, this responsibility has been transferred to a newly formed “Joint Gambling Supervisory Authority” (GGL) located in Halle. This move aims to streamline the licensing process, making it more efficient for operators to deal with one authority instead of multiple state regulators.

Under the German Interstate Treaty on Gambling (ISTG 2021), private operators have been allowed to apply for licenses to offer sports betting, virtual slot machines, and online poker since 2021. However, the licensing for virtual simulations of certain casino games and live broadcasts of casino games conducted terrestrially is subject to separate laws of the individual Federal States. Some states, like Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine-Westphalia, have indicated plans to issue licenses to private operators for these online casino games, with a limited number of licenses available.

Furthermore, there has been an increase in recovery claims by players who have lost stakes to private gambling operators, particularly those operating without a proper license. While the Federal Court of Justice in Germany ruled that payment service providers are not liable for the repayment of online gambling stakes, the legal landscape for player recovery claims against gambling operators is still evolving, with different rulings for slot games and sports betting.

Additionally, the passing of Malta’s “Bill 55” has implications for Germany. This bill allows Maltese Courts to refuse the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements awarding damages to plaintiffs following recovery claims, which could affect German court decisions against Maltese operators. The GGL views this bill as potentially in breach of EU law, but it awaits further developments and legal review at the EU level.

Overall, these changes reflect Germany’s efforts to regulate online gambling more effectively and provide a more unified approach across its states. However, the legal landscape is still evolving, particularly concerning player recovery claims and the impact of international regulations like Malta’s Bill 55.

As of 2023, the regulation and licensing of casino sites in Germany are handled by the newly formed “Joint Gambling Supervisory Authority” (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder – GGL). This central authority, established in Halle, became responsible for the entire gambling licensing process in Germany, starting from January 1, 2023. Prior to this, the responsibility was divided among the 16 Federal States of Germany.

The GGL oversees the granting of licenses for online gambling activities, including sports betting, virtual slot machines, and online poker, under the German Interstate Treaty on Gambling (ISTG 2021). For certain specific online casino games, such as virtual simulations of casino games like Blackjack and Roulette, as well as live broadcasts of terrestrial casino games, the licensing process is subject to the separate laws of the individual Federal States. This means that each state has the autonomy to decide whether to grant licenses for these specific games to private operators or restrict them to state operators. The states of Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, have indicated plans to issue a limited number of licenses to private operators for these types of online casino games​​​​.

The GGL’s role includes not only the issuance of licenses but also the enforcement of gambling regulations, including the initiation of criminal investigations related to gambling activities. This centralization aims to ensure uniform application and enforcement of gambling laws across Germany, streamlining the regulatory process for operators and authorities alike.

In Germany, the most popular gambling games in the iGaming market include a variety of casino games and sports betting. Slot machines are particularly popular, with titles featuring the Joker motif like “Mystery Joker,” “All Ways Joker,” and “Fire Joker” being favorites. The video slot “Book of Dead” is also highly popular among German players. In addition to slots, classic table games like Blackjack and Roulette enjoy popularity. In terms of sports betting, football is the most bet-on sport, closely followed by handball. Esports, especially CS:GO, is also gaining traction among German bettors. Other popular betting sports include tennis, boxing, golf, racing, MMA, and athletics, with table tennis, snooker, badminton, and darts also featured on betting sites. Horseracing is significant but has uneven coverage due to licensing issues.

In Germany, online casinos are accessible to residents, not just citizens, and many are also licensed to operate in other EU countries. However, due to the ID verification system primarily targeting the German market, EU citizens might find it more suitable to play at casinos in their respective countries. German casinos typically do not accept players using VPNs. Germans also have access to offshore casinos, which, while licensed, are not regulated by Germany. The country attempts to block these sites, but there are no penalties for playing at them. Players aged 18 and above are legally allowed to gamble.