Key points
- Online gambling in Germany is regulated by the federal states under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021), and supervised by the GGL since 2023.
- Only operators on the GGL white list may legally offer online games to people in Germany. Licences from Malta or Cyprus are not valid there.
- Licensed virtual slots are limited to €1 per game and an average of at least five seconds per game. Deposits across all providers are limited to €1,000 a month as a rule.
- OASIS is the national self-exclusion system that covers all licensed providers.
Who regulates online gambling in Germany?
The Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021) is the legal framework. Since 2023 the Joint Gaming Authority of the Federal States (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, GGL) has supervised the online market. Licences can be issued for products including virtual slot machines, online poker, sports betting and horse betting. The European Consumer Centre Germany (EVZ) also lists online casino as a product type.
Is a foreign online casino legal in Germany?
Not without a German permission. EVZ states that licences from other EU states, such as Malta or Cyprus, are not valid in Germany. It also warns that taking part in illegal gambling is a criminal offence for players, punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to six months. Because a contract for unlicensed gambling is not valid, winnings generally cannot be enforced.
How to check an operator
- Search the GGL's official white list for the company and the exact domain.
- Check that the permission covers the product you want, for example virtual slots or online poker.
- Licensed websites must display the GGL's verification seal. The seal on its own is not enough; confirm the operator against the list.
Rules that apply at licensed sites
| Rule | What it means | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-provider deposit limit | As a rule, at most €1,000 a month across all providers. A different amount can be permitted in individual cases. | § 6c(1) GlüStV 2021 |
| Maximum stake on virtual slots | €1 per game | § 22a(7) GlüStV 2021 |
| Minimum game duration on virtual slots | At least five seconds per game on average | § 22a(6) GlüStV 2021 |
| Self-exclusion | National OASIS system, applied by all licensed providers. You can register through a provider or the GGL. | GlüStV 2021; EVZ guidance |
| Age | Licensed providers must exclude minors and verify identity at registration. | GlüStV 2021 |
Bonuses
Bonuses at German-licensed sites are subject to the treaty's restrictions and the terms of each permission. Offers that promise unlimited stakes, fast spins or no deposit limit usually come from operators without a German permission. That puts you outside the legal market, with the risks described above.
Complaints and help
- Complain to a licensed operator first, then to the GGL as the supervisory authority.
- Unlicensed operators are outside German supervision. EVZ notes that recovering losses usually needs court action and is not guaranteed.
- OASIS self-exclusion can be requested through any licensed provider or directly from the GGL.
Note about the offers on this page: the offers shown above are general advertising and do not indicate a GGL permission. Players in Germany should use only providers on the GGL white list.
Sources
- Europäisches Verbraucherzentrum Deutschland, Welches Online-Glücksspiel ist in Deutschland legal oder illegal?. Published 12 February 2026, updated 17 June 2026. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Bayern.Recht, GlüStV 2021, § 6c. Cross-provider deposit limit. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Bayern.Recht, GlüStV 2021, § 22a. Virtual slot machine rules. Checked 3 November 2026.
Limitations: a summary for players, not legal advice. The GGL white list changes; check it on the day you register.