Online Casinos in Germany

Since July 2021 Germany has licensed online slots, virtual poker and sports betting nationwide through the GGL under the Fourth Interstate Treaty on Gambling. Online roulette and blackjack are not federally licensed. Players must be 18 or over, are covered by OASIS self-exclusion, and face a €1,000 monthly cross-operator deposit limit.

Last verified: 2026-10-01

Yes, within limits. The Fourth Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) took effect on 1 July 2021 and created a nationwide licensing regime for virtual slot machines, online poker, sports betting and horse-race betting. The licensing authority is the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL, gluecksspiel-behoerde.de), run jointly by the 16 federal states.

Online casino table games such as roulette and blackjack are not covered by the federal licence. Some state-level permissions exist for them in limited cases, and that picture should be verified state by state. Unlicensed sites are illegal and the GGL maintains a blocking list of more than 900 domains according to secondary reporting. The treaty is under statutory evaluation, with a report expected by 31 December 2026.

Licensed operators must meet technical, financial and responsible-gambling requirements, and licences run for five years. The main protections are:

• Minimum age: 18.
• OASIS: a central self-exclusion database that licensed operators must check before every session.
• LUGAS: a central monitoring system that enforces a default €1,000 monthly deposit limit across all licensed operators.
• Slot design rules: no progressive jackpots, no autoplay, and a minimum interval of five seconds between spins.
• Stake limits: the original limit was €1 per spin. The GGL changed this from 1 July 2026 to a tiered system based on factors such as age and gambling history, while players under 21 remain at €1. The exact tiers should be confirmed on the GGL site.

German operators pay a 5.3% tax on stakes for virtual slots, online poker and sports betting under the Racing and Lottery Act (RennwLottG), according to industry sources. Because the tax is on turnover rather than gross gaming revenue, it is considered high for slots. Players do not pay income tax on winnings from licensed gambling in Germany.

The GGL estimates that 77% of online gambling activity was channelled to the licensed market in 2025, while the German online casino trade body argues the real figure is lower, particularly for slots. This disagreement is central to the upcoming treaty evaluation, which will review advertising rules, deposit limits and consumer protection.

The legal online casino offer in Germany is mainly virtual slots, plus poker and sports betting, with football the leading sport. Common payment methods include bank transfer, SEPA, Giropay-style open banking, PayPal and card payments. Licensed operators must follow strict rules on transactions and source of funds.

Advertising for virtual slots, online poker and online casino games is banned on TV, radio and the internet between 6:00 and 21:00, according to secondary sources. Ads must not target minors or players at risk. Many bonus mechanics common elsewhere are limited or unavailable, so promotions from German-licensed sites look different from those in other markets. Always read the operator's own terms.

blucca.com features only operators that hold a valid GGL licence for the product we describe, and we do not promote unlicensed sites or products the licence does not cover. Content is editorial and carries no promise of winnings. We may earn a commission from some links.

The Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) runs a free gambling helpline on 0800 1 37 27 00, and local counselling services are available through Suchtberatungsstellen. You can self-exclude through OASIS by contacting a licensed operator or the GGL. Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over only.

Affiliate disclosure: blucca.com may earn a commission if you register with a licensed operator through some links. This never changes our licensing checks. 18+ or the legal age in your location. Gambling carries risk and is not a way to make money. If gambling is a problem, seek help.