From the point of view of gambling legislation, the European Union is one of the best regions to start a business. Gambling online and at land-based casinos is legalized and is subject to a set of strict rules that apply to all the members of the European Union. The only exception, in this case, is Germany.
Why is it so? This can be explained by the fact that the country is geographically divided into sixteen parts (states), and each of them has its regulations concerning the gambling business.
Since 2012, regulators have been trying to introduce a legal framework for the market. However, their efforts were not successful. At present, there are over a hundred land-based gambling establishments on the territory of the country. Some of them are state property, while others belong to private individuals. A small percentage of casinos are in mixed ownership.
The online sector in the country is still developing without the appropriate legal provisions, which constantly causes discontent of the European Union. In addition, there is no regulatory framework for German operators.
Online casinos in Germany: an insight into a legal aspect
As it stands, virtual gambling establishments in Germany are illicit, but there is nothing in the country’s laws that residents of Germany cannot gamble online. Technically, it is only unlawful for a virtual casino to operate on the territory of Germany, but residents can find an online gambling establishment that operates in another country, for instance, in Malta, and sign-up to it.
At the moment, German authorities do not provide licenses to casino operators but players from this country have the opportunity to visit one of the virtual gambling establishments that has got a license from another foreign authority. In this case, the best option is to obtain a license from the Malta Gaming Authority, which is considered to be one of the safest in the world. Other online casinos available in Germany may also have a license from Gibraltar or Curaçao. If you want to start a business in Germany, it is highly important to that get a license. You will be able to draw on more customers because they will be sure that their money will be held safe and that your games are fair.
However, as already mentioned, in near future, this industry will experience some changes, and since the first of July 2021, German authorities will start to issue their own casino licenses to offshore operators as this market becomes regulated. This means that the country will join other European states, such as Sweden, in offering licenses to offshore virtual gambling establishments so that they can lawfully operate within Germany.
Online casinos in Germany: games that are possible to try
At virtual gambling establishments German players have access to, there is an opportunity to try such options:
- poker;
- roulette;
- blackjack;
- slot machines.
In addition, in most cases, players will be able to find the section of live casino games that they can join staying at home at any time. Such games are highly popular since they give a chance to enjoy a real casino atmosphere.
Highly popular online casino Germany slots
Among the most popular slot machines in Germany, there are games from suppliers that are famous all over the world: Greentube IES, Playtech, Microgaming, and others. Below, you will see the list of slots that have gained popularity among German players:
- Lucky Lady’s Charm;
- Book of Ra;
- Game of Thrones;
- Sherlock Mystery;
- Jurassic Park;
- Spiderman;
- and so on.
The slot machines from the well-known company Greentube IES have acquired many fans over the years. As a rule, they are highly volatile, with a simple interface that almost never changes. Besides, they offer high payouts.
Microgaming and Playtech are the industry’s leaders that attract players’ attention with their bright and unusual gameplay, popular characters, as well as a lot of bonuses. Some of these slots feature multilevel free spins and interactive additional games.
Online gambling in Germany: what is its future?
The laws concerning online casinos in Germany will be amended soon, as new regulations will come into effect on July 1, 2021. The German government is set to introduce tough restrictions, for instance, mandatory deposit limits, in order to provide players across the country with better protection. In addition, the country’s politicians are working on the introduction of a regulatory authority whose responsibility will be to issue licenses. Therefore, if you are an offshore operator and want to continue to accept German players, you will need to get a license from German authorities.
Frequently asked questions about online gambling in Germany
Is it legal to play in online casinos from Germany?
Currently, in accordance with the Interstate Treaty on Online Gambling, gambling on the Internet is regarded as illegal in Germany. At the same time, the country does not take enough measures to ban online operators based in other states from providing services in Germany, nor to prevent its residents from gambling. It is a well-known fact that a large number of offshore gambling establishments thrive in Germany, though they are registered in other European states.
Is it safe to gamble online in Germany?
Until today, there were no incidents of prosecuting players from Germany for trying to gamble, that is why you can feel safe if you have found a reliable platform for gambling.
What is the age limit to gamble online in Germany?
In order to start gambling, German players should be at least eighteen years old.
How can a player deposit to an online casino in Germany?
Typical payment methods at virtual gambling establishments that visit German players are debit and credit cards, bank transfers, pre-paid cards, Trustly, Skrill, PayPal, Ecopayz, Neteller, and cryptocurrency.
Are there any tax fees on online casino winnings in Germany?
For virtual gambling establishments, general VAT law is applied, and the gross gaming revenue is taxed at nineteen per cent.
Can I play online casino on my mobile phone in Germany?
The best virtual gambling establishments available in Germany, offer their customers the option to play utilizing any device, including a mobile one.
Can players claim an online casino bonus in Germany?
For a long time, players from Germany have been able to claim bonuses at international virtual gambling establishments.
What help is available in Germany with a gambling problem?
Those who suffer from problem gambling and want to get professional help might visit Klinikum Stuttgart – one of the largest hospitals in Germany performing gambling addiction treatment.
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