Online Gambling Law in Germany
Updated: 2025
In Germany, online gambling is predominantly illegal. We use the word "predominantly" because Germany is one of those locations where operating a gaming site is definitely against the law, but the act of simply betting online falls into a gray area. Some interpretations of German legislation could classify the act of online betting as illegal, yet the authorities seem to have little interest in enforcing the law in that manner.
We can say with certainty that online gambling is a big hit in Germany. What's more, no German citizen has ever faced legal consequences for betting online. That's because, for the most part, the law is clear: If you want to accept bets from German residents, you must first obtain a license. Those operators who haven't secured the necessary paperwork but are still seeking to garnish the almost 100 billion euros that the German betting market commands each year are the ones walking on the legal tightrope.
Where to Play Online
Germans who read this should find gambling sites that are based in their country. At present, we have a national law that does not allow for the licensing of casino sites, so we resort to foreign operators. The companies that run those sites are based outside of Germany and are not beholden to our laws, so they can accept bets from anyone inside our borders.
When it comes to foreign operators, the most important thing to keep in mind is that under German law, there is no legal way to get your money back if something goes wrong. You're much better off gambling with sites that have licenses from trustworthy places like the UK or the Isle of Man. And make sure the sites you're using have good records for paying out and running fair games.
Remain at the recommended locations to guarantee your security and receive your winnings. These are among the foremost authorities in the international gaming industry, and they're as aboveboard as any physical casino in Germany.
German Law is in a State of Flux
Analyzing the German market is tough because the laws have been so turbulent and experienced so many recent changes. Adding to the confusion is that each state can regulate gambling in its own way.
Germany comprises a combination of extensive national legislation and more restricted state legislation. Some forms of gambling are permitted in some states, while in others, they're entirely disallowed. Moreover, incoming governors have shown a complete willingness to reverse, 180 degrees, their predecessors' gambling policies.
Until 2008, Germany had no online gambling regulations. The laws then in effect didn't cover internet gaming at all. But the passing of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling in 2008 changed everything. It practically prohibited all sorts of online gaming, except for state-owned sports betting and horse racing.
The treaty was joined by all 16 initial states. Schleswig-Holstein chose to opt out in 2012 but issued licenses to around three dozen operators, including PokerStars and 888. The state figured it would be okay to be alone. It wasn't. Schleswig-Holstein was High Seas, and poker was a not-so-routine part of the environment. In 2013, a new government in the state of Schleswig-Holstein that included quite a few new faces axed the law that had let PokerStars and 888 come to town.
The operators who went through the trouble of getting licensed at least have that good news: Their 6-year licenses remain in effect. All operators who earned licenses can offer real money poker and casino games to players inside the state of Schleswig-Holstein until 2018.
At present, online gambling is mostly illegal throughout Germany, except for the two dozen or so operators that have been authorized to offer online gambling in Schleswig-Holstein. There are no other legal online gaming venues in Germany, and there's no way to get a license to operate online games. So the vast majority of the 80 million people who live in Germany have no access to legal online gaming.
The German gaming laws breach EU regulations about free trade and competition. The EU has rebuked Germany for its stern position on gaming, but for now, Germany seems set to keep things just as they are. Meanwhile, we would like to refer you to any of the safe and respectable gaming sites that are mentioned on this site.
