Online Casinos in Germany
The sphere of gambling is actively developing all over the world. The total turnover has long exceeded one trillion euros. Every country contributes to the sphere's development. Online casino Deutschland also keeps up with global trends. However, before registering at gambling websites and betting with real money, you need to find out if the business is legal. Our article, written by the experts at Casino Zeus, will introduce you to the important nuances of the German gambling industry.
Current Gambling Legislation in Germany
The main law regulating the gambling industry is the Interstate Treaty on Gambling, adopted in 2012. It is aimed at protecting players from fraud in the sphere of online gambling. Until 2013, the law was in force in all states except Schleswig-Holstein. That region had its own regulations. The authorities were able to issue 47 licences to German casinos, including online projects. In 2013, a single document became effective in all federal states — the Interstate Treaty on Gambling.
Top Online Casinos in Germany
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There are various state structures that regulate certain areas of the gambling sphere in the country:
- slot machines are controlled by federal law and the Trade Regulation Act and Gaming Ordinance;
- horse racing is regulated by the federal Race Betting and Lottery Act, passed in 1922 and amended on August 31, 2016.
All German casinos for real money are under the scrutiny of the authorities. Organizing illegal games is prohibited. Such activities are punishable by law. Judges pass sentences based on articles of the German Criminal Code — 284 and 285.
The best online casinos in Germany are open to customers over the age of 18. Land-based establishments across the country have a similar age limit. The exceptions are the safe casinos located in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. You have to be over 21 years old to visit them.
Licensing and Regulation of the German Gambling Industry
Until 2008, the country's gambling industry was on hold. Then the government approved the Interregional Treaty. The law forbade people from visiting online casinos in Germany and betting with real money on slots, card games, or sports betting. However, gambling fans found a loophole. There is no prohibition on cooperation with honest casinos with offshore licences.
In 2012, an amendment to the Basic Law was adopted. It allowed Schleswig-Holstein to issue 50 permits. A year later, additional changes were made, resulting in stricter legislation. Previously issued certificates were not revoked, and operators continued to work under them until 2018.
In March 2020, a new version of the law regulating land-based casinos in Germany was adopted. Playing slots, table games, sports betting, and online poker in halls was permitted. On July 1, 2021, a new version of the Interstate Compact was enacted, allowing gambling licenses to be issued to virtual venues.
Initially, the government looked at gambling activities negatively. However, after getting the results of research, according to which the state budget would receive large sums of money in taxes, it changed its views. The German company Goldmedia believes that by 2025 the profit from the gambling industry in the country will exceed 18.2 billion euros.
Germany's Gambling Zones
The gambling industry in Germany has a long history. Before the rise of German online casinos, there were land-based gambling establishments and clubs. The most famous of them are:
- Kurhaus, Baden-Baden. It is believed to be the most atmospheric and unusual casino in Europe. It was opened in the 1820s in the hotel of the same name. The place is especially popular among the elite. Visitors enjoy the design of the halls. Designers skilfully combined European luxury with modern technology. Across a vast area of 32,289 sq. ft., guests find 100 + gaming tables and several dozen of slot machines. The friendly staff help players leave their worries behind for a while and deal with any issues that may arise.
- Aachen Casino impresses guests with luxury and sophistication. It is part of the Westpiel Group and 100% meets the high standards of this brand. Players will find 100+ machines, electronic roulette terminals and tables with poker, baccarat, and blackjack.
- Bayerische Casino. Located in Lindau, it is extremely popular with tourists and locals alike. German casinos offer top table games, and slot machines from leading providers. The Viamala restaurant is especially famous: thanks to its exquisite cuisine, it is famous throughout Europe.
Right now, there are 126 land-based casinos in Germany. Their number is increasing, but slowly. Operators are more willing to open online casinos in Germany in 2025. Gambling websites find it easier to attract customers and make a profit. Also, the cost of opening a virtual establishment is lower. Gaming websites do not have to pay rent or buy much equipment, and there is no need to hire a lot of staff.
Germany Online Casino Guide
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Slot Machines at Online Casinos in Germany
Gambling websites offer a large selection of entertainment. There is a wide choice of content; you can find more than 7,000 game titles. Often, online casinos in euros offer:
- Slots. They cover a wide range of games and support a lot of prize options — jackpots, scatters, wilds, free spins, expanding symbols, and multipliers.
- Card games. Poker, blackjack, baccarat. There are classic versions and varieties with bonuses.
- Table games. Roulette, high-low, sic bo, and dice. Standard types and versions with increased payout odds are available.
- Instant lotteries. Scratch cards, keno, and bingo. Usually, prize payouts do not exceed 1,500 credits.
- Fast-paced games. Checkers, aviator, ships, and spider.
- Live games. Poker, baccarat, monopoly, Wheel of Fortune, roulette, and blackjack in online mode with a live dealer.
Licensed casinos in euros for German players offer gambling in two modes — demo and real money. The first allows you to test the software and choose the right slots without verification; the second allows players to withdraw cash prizes.
Types of Bonuses in German Casinos for Real Money
There is tough competition among gambling projects in Germany. Everyone wants to attract the maximum number of customers to get more profit. Bonuses are optimal tools. Brands included in the top German casinos online offer the following bonuses:
- No deposit bonuses. Free spins or €5-€20 are given for registration.
- Welcome bonus. A bonus for a deposit of 100-200% or up to 100 free spins.
- Welcome pack. Incentives for the first few deposits: 100-150% + free spins.
- Reloads. 20-100% for deposits on a certain day of the week.
- Weekend bonuses. Gifts on refilling of the account at the end of the week.
- Cashback. Legal online casinos refund some of the money lost during the week/month. Size is 1-25%.
- Birthday bonus. People are given free spins or money with a minimum or zero wager on their Birthdays.
Gambling websites often host tournaments and races. Also, a loyalty program with levels is often available. You can get a no-deposit bonus with an individual promo code.
Playing with euros in German casinos with promotions is more profitable. However, it is important to understand that they are just a form of motivation. Do not focus on them when choosing a platform. Also, do not overuse bonuses; this way, you will not have any problems with money withdrawal.
No Deposit Bonuses at German Online Casinos
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Payment Methods in German Online Casinos
Local and offshore gambling sites support a wide range of financial transactions. The projects included in the ranking of online casinos in Germany have provided the following:
|
Name |
Type |
Deposit/Withdrawal |
Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Visa |
Credit card |
+/+ |
very rarely |
|
Mastercard |
Credit card |
+/- |
very rarely |
|
PayPal |
Online payment |
+/+ |
no |
|
Skrill |
Online payment |
+/+ |
no |
|
Neteller |
Online payment |
+/+ |
no |
|
paysafecard |
Prepaid card |
+/- |
no |
|
Giropay |
Instant Banking |
+/- |
no |
|
Sofort |
Instant Banking |
+/+ |
no |
|
Pay N Play |
Online payment |
+/+ |
no |
|
Bank transfer |
Bank transfer |
+/+ |
often |
|
Trustly |
Instant Banking |
+/- |
no |
|
Bank checks |
Bank transfer |
+/- |
no |
Before you start gambling in Germanonline casinos for real money, you need to study the payment methods available on the website and choose one of them. Most Germans use credit cards to avoid commissions and make faster transactions.
Keep in mind that bonuses are not always credited when you deposit with Skrill and Neteller. Many casinos with good returns deny customers using these EPS in the money for registration and welcome packages. Get this clarified in the support.
Play in German Online Casinos with Euros
There are several hundred brands of gambling clubs in the local market. However, not all of them can be trusted. It is important to find a reliable casino without cheating. To do this, you should do a bit of research. You should sign up on the official website, having made sure that the license and the software are authentic; the website has a good reputation and offers transparent terms and conditions.
The easiest way to choose an honest brand is to study our list of the top online casinos in Germany. It includes the basic conditions of safe usage — the availability of a license, bonuses, and various payment methods. Even a beginner will be able to find a good casino with a minimum deposit and start playing with benefits.
Responsible Gambling
It is important to understand: gambling entertainment can cause addiction. It is necessary to take a regular gambling addiction test. After registration, you should set limits on the deposit, stake, and duration of the game session.
When you find the problem, you should stop betting by using the self-exclusion mode or account freezing feature. These are supported by all legal German online casinos. If the problem is serious — seek help from specialists. Contact these organizations for free:
|
Name |
Website |
|---|---|
|
Gambling Therapy |
https://www.gamblingtherapy.org |
|
GambleAware |
https://www.begambleaware.org |
|
GamCare |
https://www.gamcare.org.uk |
|
Gamblers Anonymous |
https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk |
You must follow the rules of responsible gambling and remember that betting can lead to mental illness, huge debts, and loss of work, family, and friends.
Fast withdrawal games in Germany should be seen as entertainment, not as a way to make money. You should not spend more than 10% of your monthly budget on this hobby. The size of a single bet should be no more than 3% of the size of the bankroll. Also, it is necessary to control the duration of gaming sessions.
German Land-Based Casinos
There are 126 registered gambling establishments in the country. They bring colossal revenues to the state. In 2012 tax deductions exceeded 10.73 billion euros. Any normal casino must pay up to 80% of the profits.
Currently, the government has taken control of 75% of the gambling portals. This has increased the revenue to the treasury. The plans of the Gambling Commission are to force out shady gambling projects completely. To do this, amendments are being made annually to current legislation.
According to statistics, most Germans visit online casinos. While on vacation or business trips in another state, they go to land-based establishments. The top three most visited are:
- Casino Berlin Potsdamer Platz. The most famous and most visited land-based institution in Berlin. It opened its doors to customers in 2000. There are four floors with various entertainment options — slots, roulette tables, and blackjack. There is also a poker room.
- Bad Homburg Casino. It is considered the largest casino in the country. It was established in 1842. The casino is famous for its unique atmosphere, entertaining programs, amazing cuisine, and various types of entertainment.
- Casino Bad Oeynhausen. Open since the 1980s, located in front of the largest shopping centre in eastern Westphalia, Werre-Park. The establishment is decorated in an American style and attracts tourists and local players alike. It offers machines and tables for roulette, poker, baccarat, and blackjack.
Every casino in Germany is unique and has its own history. They differ in the way they are designed and the number of entertainment options they offer. Customers can always expect a high level of service and security.
Conclusions
The gambling sphere in Germany is gradually developing. Land-based and virtual casinos are permitted in the country. Players can find a wide range of entertainment and have a good time even on a minimal budget.
The industry brings tens of billions of dollars to the state budget. The government will not reject it; on the contrary, it will encourage foreign investors and operators to launch new projects.
FAQ
How can I win at the slot machines in Germany?
There is no guarantee of prizes. Paid combinations are formed randomly. It is best to place bets actively — any spin can bring a win. Choose emulators with a high rate of return. RTP parameters are specified for each online entertainment.
How can I open a casino in Germany?
You must obtain a license to operate in the country. To do this, you need to gather certain documents and submit a request to the appropriate authority for consideration. Remember that opening a casino in Germany requires a substantial investment.