Germany online gambling: GGL licenses virtual slots, online poker and sports/horse betting under GlüStV 2021; 5.3% stake taxes; EUR 1,000 deposit cap.
Licensing model
Mixed
Online regulated since
01 Jul 2021
Minimum age
18
Currency
EUR
Official language
German
Licence types
5
On this page
Key points for operators and suppliers
1
No B2B supplier licence, but each virtual slot game and poker variant needs GGL approval on the operator's application; certificates are optional but RNG test reports are required
2
Operator licence needs an EU/EEA seat, a domestic authorised agent if based abroad, a EUR 5 million bank guarantee and a .de domain; first licences run 5 years
3
Virtual slots: EUR 1 stake per spin (up to EUR 5 in steps for 21+ players until end-2027), 5-second average spin, no autoplay, no jackpots
4
Cross-operator deposit limit EUR 1,000 per month via LUGAS; OASIS exclusion check and 24-hour panic button are mandatory
5
Taxes are 5.3% of stakes on virtual slots, online poker, sports bets and horse bets under the RennwLottG
What Germany asks of a licensee
The four questions that decide whether a market is worth entering.
Not requiredSeparate B2B supplier licence
Not requiredLocally incorporated entity
Not statedServers or data held locally
RequiredLocal domain or landing page
Germany regulates online gambling under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021), in force since 1 July 2021, which made virtual slot machine games, online poker and online casino games licensable for the first time. The Joint Gambling Authority of the German States (GGL) in Halle (Saale) issues nationwide licences for virtual slot machine games, online poker, online sports betting and online horse betting, supervises licensees and fights illegal offers; bank-held online casino games (roulette, blackjack) remain with the individual states, which may run them themselves or grant a limited number of concessions. There is no separate B2B supplier licence, but every virtual slot game and poker variant must be approved on the licensed operator's application. Licensees must connect to the LUGAS supervision system (cross-operator EUR 1,000 monthly deposit limit, parallel-play block, Safe-Server) and the OASIS exclusion file. Since 1 July 2026 the GGL allows operators to raise the EUR 1 slot stake limit in steps up to EUR 5 under conditions until 31 December 2027, and the GGL is preparing a new licensing cycle from 2027.
Which verticals are legal in Germany
Status is the position for a licensed operator, not for offshore supply.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Prohibited
The GGL classified certain paid daily fantasy sports formats as unauthorised gambling in 2023.
Esports Betting
Prohibited
The GGL states that betting on esports is not possible because esports is not recognised as a sport.
Horse Racing / Pool Betting
Licensed
Online horse betting is licensed by the GGL and requires a bookmaker or totalisator permit under the RennwLottG.
Land-based Casino
Licensed
Casino games in land-based casinos (Spielbanken) are licensed and supervised by the individual states.
Online Bingo
Not stated
Online Casino
Licensed
Virtual slot machine games are licensed nationwide by the GGL; bank-held online table games are only offered by the states themselves or under limited state concessions.
Online Lottery
State monopoly
High-prize lotteries are run by the state lottery companies; private firms may only broker lotteries under a brokerage licence, alongside licensed social lotteries.
Online Poker
Licensed
Licensed nationwide by the GGL; each poker variant needs separate approval.
Online Sports Betting
Licensed
Licensed nationwide by the GGL; only bet types on the official list or individually approved may be offered.
Retail Betting
Licensed
Retail sports betting is only allowed in betting shops of a licensed operator; states limit the number of shops.
Skill Games
Not stated
Social / Sweepstakes Casino
Not stated
Germany licence types and what they cost5
Fees are the published headline figures. Tiered and revenue-banded amounts
are set out in the notes under each licence.
Erlaubnis zur Veranstaltung virtueller Automatenspiele im Internet (licence to organise virtual slot machine games online)
B2C Operator
Any operator offering online slot-style games to players in Germany. Each individual game also needs GGL approval on the licensee's application; there is no separate supplier licence.
Application
EUR 100
Annual
—
Term
5 years
Processing
—
GGL licence fee under §9a(4) GlüStV 2021 is based on approved or expected stakes: 0.2% up to EUR 40m (minimum EUR 100); EUR 80000 + 0.16% above EUR 40m to 65m; EUR 120000 + 0.1% above 65m to 130m; EUR 185000 + 0.06% above EUR 130m; follow-on years reduced by 10%. LUGAS central-file use is charged separately (price list in GGL download area, not read).
Conditions to satisfy
EU/EEA seat (domestic authorised agent if no German seat)
Unlimited EUR 5 million bank guarantee (can be raised to max EUR 50 million)
Full disclosure of owners over 5%
Security, social, economic and payment concepts
.de domain and German-language information
LUGAS and Safe-Server connection
OASIS connection
Algorithmic early-detection system
No illegal gambling by applicant or affiliates
Per-game approval with test environment access for GGL
Contracts with B2B platform operators submitted before launch
Online Casino
Erlaubnis zur Veranstaltung von Online-Poker im Internet (online poker licence)
B2C Operator
Any operator offering peer-to-peer online poker to players in Germany; each poker variant needs separate GGL approval.
Application
EUR 100
Annual
—
Term
5 years
Processing
—
GGL licence fee under §9a(4) GlüStV 2021 is based on approved or expected stakes: 0.2% up to EUR 40m (minimum EUR 100); EUR 80000 + 0.16% above EUR 40m to 65m; EUR 120000 + 0.1% above 65m to 130m; EUR 185000 + 0.06% above EUR 130m; follow-on years reduced by 10%. LUGAS central-file use is charged separately (price list in GGL download area, not read).
Conditions to satisfy
EU/EEA seat (domestic authorised agent if no German seat)
Unlimited EUR 5 million bank guarantee (can be raised to max EUR 50 million)
Full disclosure of owners over 5%
Security, social, economic and payment concepts
.de domain and German-language information
LUGAS and Safe-Server connection
OASIS connection
Algorithmic early-detection system
No illegal gambling by applicant or affiliates
Per-variant approval with stake, table and buy-in caps
Online Poker
Erlaubnis zur Veranstaltung/Vermittlung von Pferdewetten im Internet (online horse betting licence)
B2C Operator
Bookmakers and totalisator operators offering horse-race bets online in Germany; a bookmaker or totalisator permit under the RennwLottG is a precondition.
Application
—
Annual
—
Term
—
Processing
—
Stake-based fee under §9a(4) GlüStV 2021 as for other GGL licences (see sports betting row).
Conditions to satisfy
Bookmaker or totalisator permit under RennwLottG
LUGAS and OASIS connection
.de domain
Horse Racing / Pool Betting
Erlaubnis zur Veranstaltung/Vermittlung von Sportwetten (sports betting licence, online and/or retail)
B2C Operator
Operators and online intermediaries of fixed-odds sports betting for players in Germany; retail betting shops additionally need state permits.
Application
EUR 100
Annual
—
Term
5 years
Processing
—
GGL licence fee under §9a(4) GlüStV 2021 is based on approved or expected stakes: 0.2% up to EUR 40m (minimum EUR 100); EUR 80000 + 0.16% above EUR 40m to 65m; EUR 120000 + 0.1% above 65m to 130m; EUR 185000 + 0.06% above EUR 130m; follow-on years reduced by 10%. LUGAS central-file use is charged separately (price list in GGL download area, not read). Intermediary (Vermittlung) licences pay 50% of the organiser fee.
Conditions to satisfy
EU/EEA seat (domestic authorised agent if no German seat)
Unlimited EUR 5 million bank guarantee (can be raised to max EUR 50 million)
Full disclosure of owners over 5%
Security, social, economic and payment concepts
.de domain and German-language information
LUGAS and Safe-Server connection
OASIS connection
Algorithmic early-detection system
No illegal gambling by applicant or affiliates
Participation in an independent sports-integrity early-warning system
Only listed or approved bet types
Online Sports BettingRetail Betting
Erlaubnis zur gewerblichen Spielvermittlung in mehreren Ländern (bundled commercial lottery brokerage licence)
B2C Operator
Commercial brokers that pass lottery entries or syndicates to licensed German lottery organisers in more than one state; single-state brokerage is licensed by that state.
Application
—
Annual
—
Term
—
Processing
—
Brokerage licences pay 50% of the stake-based organiser fee under §9a(4) GlüStV 2021.
Conditions to satisfy
May only broker lotteries holding a German organiser licence
Listed on whitelist
Online Lottery
Erlaubnis zur Veranstaltung virtueller Automatenspiele im Internet (licence to organise virtual slot machine games online)
B2C Operator
Any operator offering online slot-style games to players in Germany. Each individual game also needs GGL approval on the licensee's application; there is no separate supplier licence.
Application
EUR 100
Annual
—
Term
5 years
Processing
—
GGL licence fee under §9a(4) GlüStV 2021 is based on approved or expected stakes: 0.2% up to EUR 40m (minimum EUR 100); EUR 80000 + 0.16% above EUR 40m to 65m; EUR 120000 + 0.1% above 65m to 130m; EUR 185000 + 0.06% above EUR 130m; follow-on years reduced by 10%. LUGAS central-file use is charged separately (price list in GGL download area, not read).
Conditions to satisfy
EU/EEA seat (domestic authorised agent if no German seat)
Unlimited EUR 5 million bank guarantee (can be raised to max EUR 50 million)
Full disclosure of owners over 5%
Security, social, economic and payment concepts
.de domain and German-language information
LUGAS and Safe-Server connection
OASIS connection
Algorithmic early-detection system
No illegal gambling by applicant or affiliates
Per-game approval with test environment access for GGL
Contracts with B2B platform operators submitted before launch
Online Casino
Erlaubnis zur Veranstaltung von Online-Poker im Internet (online poker licence)
B2C Operator
Any operator offering peer-to-peer online poker to players in Germany; each poker variant needs separate GGL approval.
Application
EUR 100
Annual
—
Term
5 years
Processing
—
GGL licence fee under §9a(4) GlüStV 2021 is based on approved or expected stakes: 0.2% up to EUR 40m (minimum EUR 100); EUR 80000 + 0.16% above EUR 40m to 65m; EUR 120000 + 0.1% above 65m to 130m; EUR 185000 + 0.06% above EUR 130m; follow-on years reduced by 10%. LUGAS central-file use is charged separately (price list in GGL download area, not read).
Conditions to satisfy
EU/EEA seat (domestic authorised agent if no German seat)
Unlimited EUR 5 million bank guarantee (can be raised to max EUR 50 million)
Full disclosure of owners over 5%
Security, social, economic and payment concepts
.de domain and German-language information
LUGAS and Safe-Server connection
OASIS connection
Algorithmic early-detection system
No illegal gambling by applicant or affiliates
Per-variant approval with stake, table and buy-in caps
Online Poker
Erlaubnis zur Veranstaltung/Vermittlung von Pferdewetten im Internet (online horse betting licence)
B2C Operator
Bookmakers and totalisator operators offering horse-race bets online in Germany; a bookmaker or totalisator permit under the RennwLottG is a precondition.
Application
—
Annual
—
Term
—
Processing
—
Stake-based fee under §9a(4) GlüStV 2021 as for other GGL licences (see sports betting row).
Conditions to satisfy
Bookmaker or totalisator permit under RennwLottG
LUGAS and OASIS connection
.de domain
Horse Racing / Pool Betting
Erlaubnis zur Veranstaltung/Vermittlung von Sportwetten (sports betting licence, online and/or retail)
B2C Operator
Operators and online intermediaries of fixed-odds sports betting for players in Germany; retail betting shops additionally need state permits.
Application
EUR 100
Annual
—
Term
5 years
Processing
—
GGL licence fee under §9a(4) GlüStV 2021 is based on approved or expected stakes: 0.2% up to EUR 40m (minimum EUR 100); EUR 80000 + 0.16% above EUR 40m to 65m; EUR 120000 + 0.1% above 65m to 130m; EUR 185000 + 0.06% above EUR 130m; follow-on years reduced by 10%. LUGAS central-file use is charged separately (price list in GGL download area, not read). Intermediary (Vermittlung) licences pay 50% of the organiser fee.
Conditions to satisfy
EU/EEA seat (domestic authorised agent if no German seat)
Unlimited EUR 5 million bank guarantee (can be raised to max EUR 50 million)
Full disclosure of owners over 5%
Security, social, economic and payment concepts
.de domain and German-language information
LUGAS and Safe-Server connection
OASIS connection
Algorithmic early-detection system
No illegal gambling by applicant or affiliates
Participation in an independent sports-integrity early-warning system
Only listed or approved bet types
Online Sports BettingRetail Betting
Erlaubnis zur gewerblichen Spielvermittlung in mehreren Ländern (bundled commercial lottery brokerage licence)
B2C Operator
Commercial brokers that pass lottery entries or syndicates to licensed German lottery organisers in more than one state; single-state brokerage is licensed by that state.
Application
—
Annual
—
Term
—
Processing
—
Brokerage licences pay 50% of the stake-based organiser fee under §9a(4) GlüStV 2021.
Conditions to satisfy
May only broker lotteries holding a German organiser licence
Listed on whitelist
Online Lottery
Gaming tax and regulatory charges
Everything a licensee pays in Germany on top of the licence fee.
Charge
Rate
Charged on
Paid by
Online-Pokersteuer (online poker tax)Turnover / Stakes TaxOnline Poker
5.3%5.3% of stakes, net of the tax (cash game: amount brought to the table; tournament: total entry outlay)
Gambling organisers and brokers are obliged entities under the Money Laundering Act: they need a risk analysis, customer due diligence and a money laundering officer, and must report suspicious activity to the FIU via goAML (registration mandatory). The GGL is the AML supervisor for its licensees.Source
Player account and identity verificationB2C Operator
Play is only possible via a single verified player account per operator, registered with full name, birth name, date and place of birth and address. Before verification play is allowed for up to 72 hours with a EUR 100 deposit cap and no withdrawals.72 hours / EUR 100 before verificationSource
Responsible Gambling requirements
Cross-operator monthly deposit limitB2C Operator
Players must set a monthly deposit limit that applies across all online operators and is checked through the LUGAS limit file; it may generally not exceed EUR 1,000. Higher limits need GGL-approved conditions such as proof of income and extra monitoring; players can also set operator-specific limits, and any limit increase only takes effect after 7 days.EUR 1000 per month (increases up to EUR 10000; above EUR 10000 to max EUR 30000 for at most 1% of active players)Source
Early detection of problem gamblingB2C Operator
Operators of online slots, poker, casino games and sports betting must run a science-based, algorithm-driven early-detection system on account data and act on its alerts under their social concept.Source
No parallel play and product separationB2C Operator
Playing with several operators at the same time is blocked via the LUGAS activity file. Different game types on one domain need separate areas, a one-minute wait when switching and a one-hour hold before winnings can be used in another area.1 minute switch wait; 1 hour for winningsSource
OASIS exclusion check and exclusionsB2C Operator
Operators must check players against the OASIS exclusion file and must themselves exclude players showing signs of addiction or over-indebtedness. A self-exclusion lasts at least one year unless the player asks for a shorter period of no less than three months.Minimum 3 months (default 1 year)Source
Panic buttonB2C Operator
A clearly labelled button must be shown wherever play is possible; pressing it triggers an immediate 24-hour exclusion without any confirmation step.24 hoursSource
Technical & Certification requirements
Safe-Server, LUGAS and RNG testingB2C Operator
Operators must run a Safe-Server that stores all supervision data unalterably with real-time GGL access and connect it to LUGAS. RNGs must be checked by an independent expert body designated by the authority before first use and at least once a year, and an external audit report on technical and security standards is due annually.RNG test before launch and yearlySource
Data & Hosting requirements
German domain and languageB2C Operator
Licensed online gambling must be offered under a .de domain, the home page must state the German licence and the under-18 ban, and all mandatory player information must be available in German..de domainSource
Player Funds requirements
Segregated player fundsB2C Operator
Player balances are entrusted funds that must sit in a separate, insolvency-protected account at a credit institution matching the total of all player accounts; on account closure the balance must be paid out within five working days, free of charge.5 working days payout on closureSource
Payments requirements
Payment methods and credit banB2C Operator
Deposits and withdrawals may only go through a payment account in the player's own name at a regulated credit, payment or e-money institution; anonymous payment methods, transfers between player accounts and any lending to players are banned.Source
Game Design requirements
No jackpots and RTP disclosureB2C Operator
Win amounts must be a pre-set multiple of the stake and jackpots built from stakes are banned. The probability of the top prize and the average return per euro staked must be shown where the stake is placed.Source
Online poker table rulesB2C Operator
Only natural persons may play (no bots), tables are assigned at random and simultaneous play is limited; the GGL may allow up to four tables. Each variant's approval sets caps on minimum stakes per hand, table stack and tournament buy-in.Up to 4 tablesSource
Slot session break and banned formatsB2C Operator
After 60 minutes of continuous virtual slot play the player must confirm an information notice and can only continue 5 minutes later. Slot products may not replicate bank-held table games or use the words 'Casino' or 'Casinospiele'.60 minutes play; 5 minutes pauseSource
Spin speed, manual start and single gameB2C Operator
Each virtual slot game must last at least 5 seconds on average, must be started manually by the player (no autoplay) and only one game may be played and shown at a time.5 seconds average per gameSource
Sports bet types and live bettingB2C Operator
Bets are only allowed on sports events and only in types listed or approved by the GGL. Live betting is limited to the final result and the next goal, set or similar event in low-scoring sports; bets on amateur or minor-dominated events and on rule breaches are banned.Source
Virtual slot stake limitB2C Operator
The stake per virtual slot game may not exceed EUR 1. Since 1 July 2026 operators may, under a GGL guideline, raise it to EUR 3 for players aged 21+ and to EUR 5 after a 90-day qualification period without problem-play signals plus special monitoring.EUR 1 per spin (EUR 3 for 21+; EUR 5 with 90-day qualification) until 2027-12-31Source
Advertising & Marketing requirements
Sports betting advertising limitsB2C Operator
Sports betting ads may not feature active athletes or officials, may not run on the broadcasting channel just before or during live coverage of the event, and ads inside sports venues are limited to umbrella-brand shirt and board advertising. Licensees are also responsible for ads run by third parties they engage.Source
Watershed for slots, poker and casino adsB2C Operator
No advertising for virtual slot machine games, online poker or online casino games on broadcast or internet between 06:00 and 21:00.06:00-21:00 banSource
Affiliates requirements
No revenue-share affiliate payAffiliate
For online advertising of games that excluded players may not join, in particular via affiliate links, no variable pay tied to revenue, deposits or stakes may be agreed or paid.CPA/fixed fees onlySource
Recent regulatory changes
Newest first. Each entry links to the notice it came from.
Guidance
GGL confirms betting on social and political events is not licensable
The GGL published a new FAQ stating that bets on social, political, economic or other non-sport events cannot be licensed in Germany. Offering or joining such bets from Germany may be a criminal offence unless the provider effectively blocks German users. It also flagged prediction markets as a regulatory risk.
GGL Activity Report 2025: new licensing cycle from 2027 in preparation
The GGL's 2025 report shifts focus from licensing to supervision and puts channelisation at about 77% of the online market. For the coming years it names the statutory evaluation of GlüStV 2021 and preparation of the new licensing cycle from 2027 as priorities.
Virtual slot stake limit can be raised up to EUR 5
Under a new GGL decision guideline, licensed operators may raise the EUR 1 per-spin limit for virtual slots to EUR 3 for players aged 21+ and to EUR 5 after a 90-day qualification period with special monitoring. The option is voluntary for operators and is limited until 31 December 2027.
Federal court rules IP blocking cannot target access providers
The Federal Administrative Court held that the IP-blocking provision in §9(1) S.3 no. 5 GlüStV 2021 cannot in practice be applied to internet access providers. The GGL said it had already moved to measures against host providers and is pressing the states to amend the rule.
Federal court backs GGL on broad definition of gambling advertising
In case 8 C 2.24 the Federal Administrative Court upheld GGL advertising conditions against a social lottery operator. Image communication with an indirect sales effect counts as advertising, and licensees must ensure third parties they engage follow advertising rules.
Google Ads limited to GGL-licensed gambling operators
The GGL reported that Google updated its gambling ads policy for Germany with effect from 25 September 2024 so that only operators and intermediaries licensed by the GGL can advertise via Google Ads. Comparison sites bundling several operators are also excluded.
The Joint Gambling Authority of the German States (GGL) in Halle (Saale) licenses and supervises online sports betting, horse betting, virtual slot machine games and online poker for all 16 states. Online casino table games such as roulette and blackjack remain with the individual states.
Do B2B game suppliers need a German licence?
There is no separate supplier licence. However, every virtual slot game and every poker variant must be approved by the GGL on the licensed operator's application before it goes live, and contracts with B2B platform operators must be submitted to the GGL before launch.
What are the main requirements for an operator licence?
Applicants need a seat in the EU or EEA (plus a domestic authorised agent if not based in Germany), an unlimited bank guarantee of at least EUR 5 million, full disclosure of owners above 5% and German-language application documents. Sites must run on a .de domain and connect to LUGAS, the Safe-Server system and OASIS. A first licence runs for five years.
What stake and deposit limits apply to online slots?
Players face a cross-operator deposit limit of generally EUR 1,000 per month. The stake for virtual slots is EUR 1 per spin, but since 1 July 2026 operators may raise it to EUR 3 for players aged 21+ and to EUR 5 after a 90-day qualification period, until 31 December 2027. Each spin must last at least 5 seconds on average and autoplay is banned.
How is online gambling taxed in Germany?
Under the Race Betting and Lottery Act, virtual slot machine games, online poker, sports bets and horse-race bets are each taxed at 5.3% of stakes placed, net of the tax. The organiser is the taxpayer.
Is online casino (roulette, blackjack) legal in Germany?
Only in a narrow form: the states may run online table games themselves or grant a limited number of concessions, and the GGL does not license them. Per the GGL, Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria had issued five concessions in total as of 26 May 2025.
What is the minimum age and how does self-exclusion work?
Minors are barred from gambling and licensed sites must state that under-18s cannot play. Operators must check the nationwide OASIS exclusion file, offer a 24-hour panic button and honour self-exclusions of at least three months.
Can affiliates earn revenue share in Germany?
No. For online advertising of games that excluded players may not join, including via affiliate links, pay may not depend on revenue, deposits or stakes.
Primary legislation and instruments
The statutes, regulations and technical standards this page is built from.
Amends GlüStV 2021 so that the nationwide cross-game player exclusion system is permanently operated for all states by the gambling authority of Hesse instead of moving to the GGL.
Federal law on horse-race betting permits (bookmakers, totalisators) and gambling taxes: race betting tax, sports betting tax, lottery tax, virtual slot machine tax and online poker tax.
Interstate treaty of all 16 states governing public gambling: licensing of online sports betting, horse betting, virtual slot machine games, online poker and online casino games, player protection (LUGAS, OASIS, limits), advertising, supervision and the creation of the GGL.
Federal anti-money-laundering law; gambling organisers and brokers are obliged entities under §2(1) no. 15 and must run risk analysis, customer due diligence and report suspicious activity to the FIU.
GGL guideline allowing licensed operators to raise the EUR 1 per-spin stake limit for virtual slot machine games in two steps up to EUR 5 under age and monitoring conditions, limited until 31 December 2027.
Compiled from official regulator and government sources, most recently on 26 Sept 2026. It is a starting point for commercial research, not legal advice — confirm the current position with the GGL or local counsel before you act on it.
