The Top Online Gambling Sites in Germany
Germany’s online gambling market is very well regulated, with plenty of great legal sites for players to enjoy. On this German online gambling sites guide, we’ve recommended reputable operators with top gaming offers and promotions. You can find the best German online casinos and sportsbooks below.
- Secure
- Trusted
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Top Online Gambling Sites in Germany for August
Gambling Site | Welcome Bonus | Bonus Code | Legal In | Site Rating | Pros & Cons | Secure Link | Terms |
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Drueckglueck | 100% up to 100€ + 50 Free Spins |
GLUECK
|
DE | + Multiple Licenses , – No Phone Support | Play Here! | 18+. T&Cs apply. | |
bwin | 100% up to 100€ + 200 FS on Legacy of Dead |
Not Needed
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DE | + Sports and Casino, – Slow Support | Play Here! | 18+. T&Cs apply. | |
LeoVegas | Up to 100€ + 25 Free Spins |
Not Needed
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DE | + Great Mobile Gaming, – Regional Restrictions | Play Here! | 18+. T&Cs apply. | |
StarGames | Up to 100€ + 100 Free Spins |
Not Needed
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DE | + Novomatic Games, – No Live Chat | Play Here! | 18+. T&Cs apply. | |
Merkur Spiel | 100% up to 50€ |
Not Needed
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DE | + Over 90 Slots, – No Loyalty Program | Play Here! | 18+. T&Cs apply. |
John Isaac is one of the editors at online-gambling.com. He is an expert at card games, such as blackjack and poker. In addition, he writes about the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets.
- We have a strong understanding of Germany’s gambling laws and follow updates in gaming legislation and the activity of the German Bundestag.
- We remain up-to-date with gambling-related news and upcoming developments of the German market by following local popular media sources such as the Bild and the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
- We are experienced in creating free gambling guides and online gambling site reviews. Our most popular articles include reviews for the top online slots and poker guides.
Available Gambling Activities in Germany
Both the land-based and online gaming industry are well established in Germany. The available German gambling sites are regulated by the Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL). Local gamblers can still enjoy online casino games such as slots. There are also other gambling products like sports betting and the lottery.
Online Casino Gaming in Germany
As of 2021, online gambling is legal and regulated in all 16 states in Germany. The changes were under the new German Interstate Treaty on Gambling (ISTG). The country has imposed strict procedures that operators must adhere to, including a ban on certain games, deposit limits, ID checks, and more. This guarantees you’ll play at safe, fair, and reliable sites. You can find the top recommended German casino below:
Drueckglueck | 100% up to 100€ + 50 Free Spins |
GLUECK
|
DE | Top Casino Offer | Get Bonus! | 18+. T&Cs apply. |
Online Sports Betting
Germany is home to a thriving sports betting industry, with the land-based sports betting market taking billions of euros in bets every year. As of 2020, Germany has started to award its first online sports betting licenses, further strengthening the country’s push toward a fair and open online market.
German bettors can now wager at some top international sportsbooks and access modern features such as live betting and live-streaming sports events. Popular markets include Bundesliga football, although there are dozens of other sports leagues to bet on. You can find the top sports betting offer below.
Happybet | 150% up to 100€ on the first deposit |
Not Needed
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DE | Top Sports Betting Offer | Get Bonus! | 18+. T&Cs apply. |
Daily Fantasy Sports
As per the latest regulations in the country, daily fantasy sports betting is not legally allowed in Germany. Therefore, German players have no access to this gambling product. As of January 2023, one of the biggest DFS operators, DraftKings, has suspended its activities in Germany. We will keep you posted in case of any changes in the future.
Online Poker
For the time being, the German online poker market is quite limited. However, this does not suggest that online poker players have no options. Several top poker sites accept German players. As land-based poker is legal in the country. Online operators must be licensed by the GGL to provide access to poker games legally. These include single-game events and tournaments for popular games such as Stud Poker and Texas Hold’em.
bwin | 100% up to 200€ |
Not Needed
|
DE | Top Poker Offer | Get Bonus! | 18+. T&Cs apply. |
Online Lottery
By playing online, German lottery players have access to a huge international lottery market. The top lottery sites will offer everything from local German draws to European draws and even international games. If scratch cards or bingo is more of your thing, our top recommended lottery sites also offer plenty of unique digital games with decent odds to win.
lotto.de | EuroJackpot €39 Million |
Not Needed
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DE | Top Lottery Offer | Get Bonus! | 18+. T&Cs apply. |
These are reputable and safe sites that guarantee fast payouts, so we suggest you consider playing the online lottery if you’re searching for a convenient way to participate. Claim the lottery welcome bonus above to get started with a bigger budget.
German Online Gambling Guide
At this stage, you may have found the right gambling site for you. While this is great, there is still some information that we suggest you read before making your final decision. In the upcoming sections, we’ll provide details and tips on spotting a fun, fair, and trustworthy gambling site. Whether it’s licensing and safety, the game options, fairness, or the bonuses, our guides will guarantee that you always know what’s best for you.
Licencing, Security & Safety at German Gambling Sites
Due to the high volume of financial traffic that online gambling sites facilitate, online casinos and sportsbooks are frequently targeted by scammers and hackers. In some cases, scammers will create sites with rigged games to trick unsuspecting players. This is why it’s essential to choose a website that is safe and secure.
The best way to ensure a site is trustworthy is by checking that it is licensed. Licensing guarantees that games are fair by requiring operators to supply certificates from independent testing laboratories. It also ensures that responsible gambling practices are met and that encryption technology safeguards players’ website connections. You can find details for reputable organizations dedicated to protecting German players below.
Organisation | Overview |
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Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL) | The Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL) is the official gambling regulator in Germany tasked with reviewing and approving any online casino before it is approved for German players. |
GamCare | GamCare provides information and support to those struggling with problem gambling or their family and friends. It is a reliable source for prevention and harm-minimisation resources. |
IBAS | The Independent Betting Adjudication Service is an independent organisation charged with settling disputes between gaming sites and their customers. |
International Betting Integrity Association | The International Betting Integrity Association is a global company dedicated to maintaining integrity in the betting industry. It aims to combat corruption and protect the integrity of sports teams and leagues. |
eCOGRA | eCOGRA is an independent testing agency used and trusted by the world’s most stringent gaming authorities. It is a leader in testing and certifying RNG games and software. |
It’s All About the Games
If you were to ask most players why they ended up choosing the online gambling site they did, it’s likely due to the gambling products that were offered. Whether it’s the games that online casino stocks or the betting features and markets on a sportsbook, we always recommend you check the available products before you sign up.
The best online gambling sites will offer games and bet selection that are diverse so that it appeals to more players. It should also offer options that cater to both low-budget players and high-rollers. Your primary experience at the site will be with the games, so it’s essential to verify that these meet your standards. Even if the site is offering a generous bonus offer, it won’t be worth anything if you’ve got nothing to spend it on.
Gambling Type | Best Gambling Operator | Why It’s the Best? |
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Sports Betting | Happybet | High maximum bonus amount Wager bonus 6x 90 days to fulfill the bonus conditions |
Online Casino | Drueckglueck | Many popular slots Top rated online casino PayPal payments |
Online Lotto | lotto.de | €39 Million EuroJackpot Lotteryluck spiral |
Popular Real Money Online Gambling Games
Due to the fact that it is more widely available, sports betting remains to be the most popular online gambling market. Germany is well-known as being a nation of football lovers, so bettors tend to gravitate toward betting on local Bundesliga games the most. However, online casino usage has rapidly increased in the last five years, and with a more open market on the horizon, we expect for the industry to face another boom.
Video slots are already extremely popular at German online casinos, just as they are at land-based gaming establishments. Table games such as roulette and blackjack are also popular among players from the country, but still, it depends on whether they are available in your DE state. We have listed the most popular gambling games in Germany and their RTPS below.
- Slots – 96%
- Roulette – 94.74 – 97.3%
- Blackjack – 99.5%
- Poker 97%
- Baccarat – 98.99%
- The Lottery – around 70%
German Gambling Site Bonuses and Promotions
Choosing a decent welcome bonus is a great way to begin your time at a new gambling site. Depending on which site you choose, there will be different kinds of bonuses available. For example, at online sports betting sites, common bonuses include free bets, bonus funds, and odds boosts. Online casinos, on the other hand, tend to award free spins for popular slots or award bonus funds after the first deposits are made.
We recommend you always read the terms and conditions before you claim a bonus, as these detail how long you have to use the bonus and how much it needs to be wagered before it can be withdrawn as real money. You can find our top bonus offers for new players at German gambling sites below.
Gambling Type | Best Bonus Offer | Bonus Terms | Bonus Offered By: |
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Sports Betting | 150% up to 100€ on the first deposit | For new customers only. Minimum deposit per bonus €10. First deposit only. | Happybet |
Online Casino | 100% up to100€ + 50 Free Spins | Full terms apply. | Drueckglueck |
Online Lotto | N/A | Full terms apply. | lotto.de |
Best Payout German Gambling Sites
The payout of a gambling site tells us a couple of important things, but it is primarily used to reveal the fairness rating of a website. Before working out the average payout of a site, you must first understand the return to player (RTP) rates of individual games.
These RTPs indicate how much of what is invested in the game will be awarded as winnings. The average payout of a website is the average RTP of the total game or bet offerings at a site. Therefore, the higher this number, the more fair a website is. Below, we’ve provided the verified payout rates at the top German gambling sites.
Gambling Site Type | Operator Name | Payout | Payout Verified by: | Best Payout Game: |
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Best Payout Casino | Drueckglueck | 96% | eCogra | Book of Tribes |
Best Payout Betting Site | happybet | 92.84% | eCOGRA | American Football |
Best Payout Lotto Site | lotto.de | 87.6% | eCogra | Powerball |
Available Payment Methods
The best gambling sites will accept a number of different well-known payment providers. This is important, as the biggest payment brands tend to have strong reputations for providing secure transactions and utilizing anti-fraud technology. As we said, online gambling sites are frequently targeted by scammers, so this added protection guarantees more consumer safety.
It’s also important to offer a variety of methods as it ensures that more players are catered to and that customers have options in regards to transaction times and fees. Below are the most common and trustworthy payment methods that are accepted at German gambling sites.
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e-Wallets:
- PayPal
- Neteller
- ecoPayz
- Skrill
- Klarna
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Credit/Debit Cards:
- Mastercard
- VISA
- Maestro
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Bank Transfers:
- Instant Banking
- Bank Transfer
- Wire Transfer
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Other:
- Bitcoin
- Paysafecard
- ApplePay
- Google Pay
- Trustly
Mobile Gambling Apps
A recent survey of German gamblers indicated that online mobile gambling has surpassed online desktop gambling, with 65 per cent of slot gameplay now taking part on mobiles. As this number is set to increase, it’s become essential for the top gambling sites to offer fast, reliable, and stable mobile gaming platforms.
Whether through dedicated mobile apps or browser-compatible versions, it’s important that both Android and iOS users can access a full suite of games and betting products while on the go. Below, you can find the best gambling apps for each gambling category of German gambling sites.
Gambling Type | Best Gambling App | iOS Version Required | Android Version Required |
---|---|---|---|
Sports Betting | Happybet App | iOS 11.0 or later | KitKat or later |
Online Casino | Drueckglueck App | iOS 12.0 or later | KitKat or later |
Online Lotto | lotto.de App | iOS 10.0 or later | KitKat or later |
Safe, Fair, and Reliable Gambling Software
Have you ever noticed that a lot of your favorite slot games have similar controls, features, or aesthetics? If so, it’s likely that the games are made by the same software developers. When you’re checking out the games catalogue of a potential new casino, we suggest that you take a look at which game developers are stocked.
The more big software names are represented, the more sure you can be that the website will offer a diverse gaming experience that is reliable and fair. Choosing a site built on reputable software is a great way to guarantee that you will not be bugged by technical issues or fooled by unfair titles.
Gambling Type | Best Gambling Software | Other Popular Software |
---|---|---|
Sports Betting | OpenBet SG Digital | Microgaming |
Online Casino | Microgaming | Playtech |
Daily Fantasy | Netset | GAN Software |
Online Poker | iPoker | Playtech |
Online Lotto | Kootac | Playtech |
Germany Gambling Laws & Regulations
Germany’s land-based and online gambling laws are fairly straightforward to interpret. Land-based gambling is regulated on a regional level, and it is up for the Ministry of the Interior for each state to regulate gaming. As of January 2023, online casino gambling is regulated by the Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL).
Is Online Gambling Legal in Germany?
Online sports betting is completely legal and this has been approved by laws. All German players are able to gamble online at GGL-approved sites. These operators are completely legal and safe and operate according to the latest standards imposed on the gambling industry in Germany.
Land-Based Gambling
Land-based gambling laws are a matter of state law rather than federal law. Each state has its own Casino Act that determines which games are classified as gambling activities and which are not. That being said, it is possible to find legal gambling establishments in every state. This includes slots, sports betting sites, poker, and the lottery. Interestingly enough, a majority of Germany’s casinos are run by the state and are closely observed by local regulators.
- Tipico
- Lotto
- West Gaming Group
- Novomatic
Regional Gambling Laws
For some time, gambling has been regulated on a state level in Germany. However, this has resulted in what is a largely unregulated market with inconsistencies across the country. In order to address the problem, Germany’s states signed the first Interstate Treaty in 2012 in order to set out some blanket regulations for the online gaming market.
The only state that did not sign at the time was Schleswig-Holstein, which instead chose to regulate its own market. In 2020, all states agreed to a ratified Interstate Treaty, which would see online casino gambling regulated at the federal level. As of January 2023, the online gambling market is regulated by the Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL).
Official Regulatory Body
Until the Interstate Treaty of 2021 comes into effect in 2021, there were two regulators for Germany’s online gambling market. The first of these is Schleswig-Holstein. There are roughly two dozen online casino operators that have been licensed by the region. Despite its signing of the ratified Interstate Treaty, the current licences will be extended until 2024.
The other regulator is the Darmstadt Regional Council in the state of Hessen. This council was chosen by the federal government to issue licenses for the online sports betting market in 2020. Already, the regulator has approved over 20 sports betting sites. The latest online casino regulator in Germany is the Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL). Any operator in the country must be issued a valid gambling licence by the GGL.
Official Website | www.schleswig-holstein.de |
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Address | Düsternbrooker Weg 92 24105 Kiel |
[email protected] |
Official Website | rp-darmstadt.hessen.de |
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Address | Darmstadt Regional Council 64278 Darmstadt |
Phone | +49 6151 12-3366 |
[email protected] |
Official Website | www.gluecksspiel-behoerde.de |
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Address | Gemeinsame Glücksspielbeh?rde der L?nder Anstalt des ?ffentlichen Rechts, Hansering 15, 06108 Halle (Saale) |
Phone | +49 345 52352 0 |
[email protected] |
Taxes on Online Gambling in Germany
Land-based casinos that are state-run pay 80% of their gross gaming revenues as taxes. Commercial online casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks must pay a 19% tax on all gross gaming revenues. This is the amount that is taken from players after all winnings are paid out.
Sports bets are taxed at 5% of the wager, and lottery tickets are taxed at 5% of the wager. Gambling operators must pay these on top of regular state taxes and VAT. As for gamblers, winnings are taxed at a fixed rate of 5% and must be declared in annual tax returns. These are relatively standard rates for EU countries.
Gambling Type | Legal Gambling Age |
---|---|
Sports Betting | 18 |
Casino | 18 |
Poker | 18 |
Lotto | 18 |
Legal Gambling Age
Gamblers must be over 18 years old in order to gamble legally in Germany. This is a fixed age requirement and applies to all gambling activities, from the lottery to land-based casino gambling. This is similar to the UK, which requires all players to be over 18 to gamble. Remember that if you gamble underage, it is considered to be a criminal offence in Germany.
Advertising Laws
While most states agreed to ban television and online advertisements for online casinos, Schleswig-Holstein’s self-exemption from the treaty has allowed operators to purchase advertisements that can be viewed across the country. Recently, the state has amended its advertising laws to limit the time slots casino advertisements can air.
Online casino operators are now restricted to only advertising on nationwide free-to-air TV. Operators are now limited to a maximum of 17,000 minutes of airtime per month. These advertisements can not be placed between the hours of 6 am and 9 pm to reduce exposure of gambling products to minors. There are also strict rules that forbid any advertising of unauthorized gambling games.
Penalties for Illegal Gambling
German authorities do not take gambling offences lightly. The punishment for gambling-related offences can include hefty fines, suspension or removal or a gaming license, or even imprisonment. The most serious offences include illegally-offered games, money laundering, match-fixing, tax evasion, and accepting underage players. We suggest doing some research into your own home state to discover the local penalties for illegal gambling activities.
- Offering unauthorized gambling activities: financial penalty up to €500,000
- Breaching license rules: financial penalty up to €500,000
- Advertising illegal ambling: financial penalty and up to one-year imprisonment
- Underage gambling: penalties are different from state-to-state
Upcoming Regulation Changes
As of July 2021, Germany was set to introduce some of the largest changes to its gambling industry in the last fifty years. We are referring to the Interstate Treaty of 2021, which will introduce a federally regulated online gambling market across the country. While the details of the treaty are still being ironed out, there are several elements that have already been confirmed. These include:
- Online slot games will be capped at a stake limit of €1 per spin. They must be offered in a separate category, and auto-play functions will be banned.
- Each state will decide whether or not online table games will be permitted.
- Live sports betting is limited to markets on the next scorer or final results.
- A Berlin-based gambling regulator will be established.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
One of the most beneficial things that came out with the changes to Germany’s gambling regulations is the requirement for licensed operators to do more to tackle problem gambling. In jurisdictions such as the UK, the Gambling Commission has required all operators to include self-exclusion and self-limitation technology for players struggling with their gaming habits.
It appears Germany will follow this path, too, and require that operators create a responsible gambling plan and meet strict standards to create a more healthy gaming environment. Below, we’ve listed a number of problem gambling organizations that cater to German players.
Interesting Facts About the German Online Gambling Market
According to recent studies, it appears as though Germany’s online gambling market is set for major growth in the next few years. It’s expected that within four years, the online gambling market will be worth over €3 billion, which is around €1.1 billion more than it’s worth now.
Each year, revenues for online casinos and sportsbooks are expected to grow by 11% and 19%, respectively. The same survey found that most German players are looking forward to the upcoming regulation changes, and more than 62% of respondents stated that they intend to use locally-licensed operators instead of offshore gambling sites once the laws come into effect.
History of Gambling in Germany
As Germany, as it remains today, has only had a constitution since the late 1940s, it’s difficult to go too deep into the gambling situation. Much of the country was affected by war and Soviet-occupation for the twentieth century, which in turn made gambling rules murky. The most relevant changes began after World War II, when the West German Constitution was signed.
This paved the way for states to create their own gambling laws. However, up until the 1990s, gambling was quite restricted, and the black market flourished. The 21st century has brought the most changes to the industry, with 2021 set to bring an open land-based and online gambling industry that can be enjoyed across the country.
Year | Event |
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1810 | Casino Wiesbaden, the oldest casino in Germany, is built. |
1933 | German government shuts down gambling activities. |
1950s | After Germany’s new constitution passes, gambling is set to be regulated on a state level. Many states place heavy restrictions on who can gamble. |
1995 | Restrictions on gambling activities are removed, allowing tourists to gamble at all casinos in the country. |
2008 | Interstate Gamling Treaty is passed. This effectively outlaws online gambling. Schleswig-Holstein is the only state to not sign the treaty. |
2012 | The Interstate Treaty is amended to allow online lotteries and interstate lotteries. It also allows 20 non-state bookmakers to operate. Schleswig-Holstein introduces its own Gambling Act to allow online casino licences and sports betting licences. |
2020 | Interstate Treaty amendments announced and signed by all German states. This is set to introduce a legal and locally-regulated online gambling market in 2021. |
2023 | The Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL) was tasked with reviewing and approving online gambling sites operating for players from Germany. |
Famous Land-Based Casino and Gambling Resorts
There are more than 80 land-based casinos located in over 70 cities throughout Germany, with most of these offering a wide selection of slots, table games, and poker. The capital city of Berlin is the largest gambling city in the country, with five casinos throughout the city.
The largest casino in the country is the Spielbank Do-Honeysburg, which offers hundreds of slots, 12 table games, and poker across its three-floor gaming floor. Other notable casinos include the Spielbank Berlin Casino, the Casino Duisburg, Casino Wiesbaden, and the Baden-Baden casino, which is arguably the best gambling destination in the country.
- Spielbank Do-Hohensyburg
- Spielbank Berlin Casino
- Casino Duisburg
- Casino Baden Baden
Famous German Poker Players
German is home to dozens of poker players who have amassed wealth and fame throughout the world. Many of these have scored highly or even won major tournaments such as the World Series of Poker, or have earned millions of dollars from online poker tournaments.
It has been reported that German players have lost the least money at poker, which indicates the cautious yet considered playing style of many German poker stars. The most successful of all German poker players is Fedor Holz, who has earned more than $35 million USD from mostly high-roller tournaments. Below, you can find a list of the most famous German poker players.
- Fedor Holz
- Marvin Rettenmaier
- Dominik Nitsche
- Christoph Vogelsang
- Rainer Kempe
The Perks of Online Gambling vs Land-Based Gambling in Germany
When it comes to choosing where to gamble in Germany, locals have a lot of options. With so many decent land-based gambling facilities across the country, many don’t have to travel far to find a place to gamble. That being said, nothing can compete with the convenience of online gambling, with most of the best sites offering mobile options.
Online gambling sites also offer welcome bonuses, whereas it’s hard to find promotions such as these at land-based casinos and sportsbooks. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage to online gambling is that you will miss out on the atmosphere and social aspect of a casino visit. As Germany has a number of beautiful, old casino buildings, we recommend visiting these for more special occasions.
More Guides to Read
We hope that you have learned a lot from this guide to gambling in Germany, and that we’ve helped you make the best decision about which gambling site is right for you. If you’re after more of the helpful and informative guides to other areas of gambling, then we suggest visiting more of our Online-Gambling.com pages. You can find three of our most popular pages below.
Our Most Popular Gambling Guides
Common Questions About Gambling in Germany
Do you want answers to the most frequently asked questions about the German online gambling industry? To help you find out exactly what you’re looking for, we’ve provided accurate answers about the German online gaming industry. In each answer, we’ve provided a jump-link to the relevant section so that you can explore each topic in further detail.
1. What are the best online gambling sites in Germany?
Our list of the best German gambling sites are regularly updated to include the best deals and offers. Whether you’re hunting for a new online casino, sportsbook, or poker site, you can be certain that we only recommend trustworthy, fair sites that have scored highly against our strict quality testing criteria.
2. Can I play online gambling games for real money in Germany?
Yes, you can play online gambling games for real money in Germany. This includes slots, lottery, poker, and more at online casinos, and a huge variety of sports betting options at Germany’s leading sportsbooks. Just make sure you bet on high RTP games to boost your odds of winning back your real money.
3. What are the best gambling apps to play in Germany?
There are several top mobile gambling options that can be played on dedicated mobile apps or through your mobile device web browsers. These are accessible on tablets and smartphones and tend to include most of the desktop sites’ products and features. All of our recommended mobile sites are accessible on both Android and iOS devices.
4. What are Germany’s online gambling laws?
Germany has been having relatively confusing laws regarding gambling, but this has changed. As per the latest online gambling laws casinos operating for German players must earn gaming licenses from the Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL). Only then it is legal for players to place their bets on these sites.
5. What is the top online gambling bonus in Germany?
Depending on which gambling activity you want to play, the top online gambling bonuses in Germany include free spins, bonus funds, free bets, odds boosts, and more. You can claim these when you register with the site. Our list of top German bonuses includes several great bonuses for new players to claim.
6. Are there any free online gambling games?
Yes, most sites offer free-to-play gambling games in Germany. These tend to be for casino games like, for example, slots. Remember that you will not be able to win real money from these games. Instead, these demos exist to teach players the rules and functions of games before they invest real money.
7. Can I find any online gambling sites with no deposit in Germany?
You should be able to find no-deposit bonuses at some online gambling sites in Germany due to the fact that locals are currently allowed to bet with foreign operators. However, this may soon change in 2021 when Germany updates its federal gambling laws. Until then, make the most out of these bonuses to try out new gambling sites without making any financial investment.