Alex Vasile has an iGaming background with over five years working in Support and Account / VIP management. He is also an experienced writer covering topics related to gambling legislation and jurisdictions, casino bonuses and wagering requirements and casino games rules.
, | Updated: October 31, 2025
Germany has a stable economy and a population of more than 84 million people. Although the country is synonymous with order, the legal landscape for online gambling is quite complex because Germany consists of 16 states, each with the authority to craft its own gambling laws.
Germany is one of the least liberal countries in the EU when it comes to gambling operations. For years, gambling was illegal in the Federal Republic of Germany under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag).
Following EU recommendations, German lawmakers changed course and began supporting the idea of regulating the gambling market. In March 2020, the Fourth Interstate Treaty on Gambling was approved, paving the way for operators to apply for online gambling licenses.
Casino Sites in Germany
For years, foreign operators were not allowed to obtain licenses or provide online gambling services to German players. However, this did not stop gambling sites licensed in other EU countries from accepting casino enthusiasts from Germany and offering them lucrative casino bonuses. Moreover, German players were neither prosecuted nor penalized for gambling online.
In 2021, the passage of the Fourth Interstate Treaty allowed private operators to offer their services on German soil. Here are some of the most trustworthy online casinos that cater to the needs of players from Germany.
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18+ and of legal age to gamble. First deposit only. $20 Min deposit. Max bonus 1 BTC or currency equivalent. First deposit free spins are added as a set of 50 per day for 2 days, amounting to 100 free spins in total. The first 50 free spins are added immediately after a successful activation of the bonus. The next 50 free spins are added in 24 hours. Winnings obtained with the help of free spins have a x40 wagering requirement. All deposit bonuses must be wagered at least 40 times before the player can withdraw the winnings received through them. General Bonus Terms & Conditions must be observed.
New customers only. Opt-in required. 100% deposit bonus up to €300. Min deposit €10. 20 free spins on Book of Dead game upon registration. 30x wagering requirements apply for bonuses. Casumo Services Ltd licensed by the MGA, MGA/B2C/217/2012. T&Cs apply. Play responsibly – rgf.org.mt
New & exclusive players only. 20 min deposit. To receive the bonus wager 20 x (deposit amount) within 21 days. To withdraw bonus & related wins, wager 50 x (bonus amount) within 21 days. This offer may not be combined with any other offer. Withdrawal restrictions & full T&Cs apply.
New customers only. Opt-in required. 100% Match Bonus up to €250 on 1st deposit of €20+. Additional bonuses of up to €250 on 2nd deposit of €20+ and up to €500 on 3rd deposit of €20+. 50x bonus wagering applies as do weighting requirements. Credit Card, Debit Card & PayPal deposits only. Irregular gameplay may invalidate your bonus.
Min $10 in lifetime deposits required. Offer must be claimed within 30 days of registering a bet365 account. Reveal prizes of 5, 10 or 20 Free Spins; 10 spins on Free Spins reels available within 20 days, 24 hours between each spin. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply.
18+ New Customers only. Min deposit $20. Max bonus $5000. EXCLUSIVE: Up to 25% Rakeback on each bet! Instant, Weekly, and Monthly Rakeback. No wagering requirements. No upper limits on the Rakeback amount. The Rakeback percentage depends on the Rakeback reward level.
18+. New customers only. 30x Deposit + Bonus wagering requirement. 10 days expiration time. €5 max bet. Deposits made with Skrill and Neteller do not qualify for this promotion.
18+ New customers only. 110% up to 1BTC 1st deposit bonus. 55% up to 1BTC 2nd deposit bonus. 50% up to 2BTC 3rd deposit bonus. 40x D+B wagering required. Each bonus is valid for 30 days.
18+ New players only. Minimum deposit €20. 45x wagering requirements. Max bet €5.
Best Casino Bonuses for German Players
The online gambling industry is highly competitive, and all gambling sites looking to expand their customer base offer various no deposit casino bonuses. Casino promotions can maximize your winning potential and add an extra dose of excitement to your gambling sessions. Web-based casinos reward their registrants with enticing promotions from the very beginning.
Welcome Bonus
No Deposit Bonuses
Reload Bonus
VIP Bonus
Welcome Bonus
German players who join a web-based casino can claim a Welcome Bonus, which is usually a combination of a match deposit bonus and free spins. In other words, the casino operator matches your first deposit by a certain percentage, up to a specified maximum.
No Deposit Bonuses
Some gambling sites offer no deposit bonuses that players can claim immediately after registering. These bonuses allow you to try the games on offer and potentially win real money. Note that casino operators impose a cap on the maximum withdrawal winnings generated from a no deposit bonus, and you may be required to fund your gambling balance before cashing out your profits.
Reload Bonus
After you have made at least one deposit at a web-based casino, you may qualify for a reload bonus. Reload bonuses consist of a match deposit bonus and free spins, and they generally work in the same way as Welcome Bonuses.
VIP Bonus
Operators frequently provide loyalty schemes to reward their most active customers. Players earn comp points for placing real-money bets, and the rate at which points accumulate depends on the games you play. You can redeem these points for bonus cash. Many VIP programs also feature multiple tiers, allowing you to unlock higher levels as you collect more points.
VIP members may also receive exclusive bonuses, birthday gifts, higher withdrawal limits, cashback promotions, and more. Cashback offers give you the chance to recover a percentage of the losses incurred over a set period.
Before claiming any casino bonus, make sure you understand its terms of use.
For many years, Germany’s laws were highly restrictive toward online gambling. In 2008, the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (ISTG) was enacted in an attempt to block German players from accessing foreign online casinos. The government also prohibited banking institutions from processing gambling-related transactions.
Initially, all 16 states joined the Interstate Treaty. However, the European Union criticized Germany for its strict regulations, stating that the country’s gambling laws violated the rules of free trade. Consequently, lawmakers amended the Interstate Treaty and regulated the online sports betting market.
This time, however, one state, namely Schleswig-Holstein, refused to sign the amended Interstate Treaty and chose to regulate online gambling independently. The Gambling Act, passed in September 2011, allowed foreign casino operators to apply for licenses to provide casino games, poker, and sports betting to German players. More than 30 operators secured licenses.
The decision to regulate online gambling faced criticism. Following a change of government in 2012, the new administration had a negative impact on the industry by deciding to join the Interstate Treaty. Nevertheless, operators that had already obtained a license were allowed to continue accepting players from Schleswig-Holstein until their licenses expired.
In 2015, further amendments were introduced to the Interstate Treaty. The pivotal moment for online gambling came in March 2020, when legislators from all German federal states agreed to regulate online casino gambling and poker.
The new Interstate Treaty on Gambling came into effect on July 1, 2021. Although Germany finally liberalized its online gambling market, the Treaty includes numerous restrictions designed to protect players from gambling addiction.
Regulatory Requirements for Casino Operators
Regulatory Requirements for Casino Operators
Operators seeking to enter the German market will face numerous restrictions. They must set a cross-operator maximum deposit limit of €1,000. In addition, casino operators must allow registrants to establish daily, weekly, or monthly deposit and loss limits.
A limit of €1 per spin applies to all slots. Furthermore, there must be a minimum spin duration of five seconds. Slots may not feature an autoplay function or offer progressive jackpots. The new Interstate Treaty on Gambling distinguishes between table games and slots, meaning these products must be offered separately.
The number of online casino licenses issued to operators cannot exceed the number of land-based casinos within a state. In addition, players can join up to 4 table games simultaneously. Currently, there are no licenses for video poker.
Operators are also prohibited from accepting players who are registered with another provider. Licensees must implement an automated system to detect players at risk of gambling addiction. The Interstate Treaty further requires operators to employ procedures that ensure minors and suspended users cannot engage in gambling activities.
The Treaty aims to prevent German players from gambling at unlicensed online casinos and prohibits financial institutions from processing transactions to and from unauthorized sites. As a result, Germany has introduced a ban on credit card gambling. The Treaty also restricts gambling advertising and affiliate marketing. Gambling commercials are prohibited from 6 am to 9 pm.
Operators can obtain sports betting licenses from the Regional Council in Darmstadt in the State of Hesse. The liberalization of the online gambling market prompted the creation of a regulator: the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States, die Glücksspielbehörde, which has been operational since July 1, 2022.
Germany liberalized its online gambling market in March 2020. Since July 2021, players from all German states can legally gamble online. Currently, eight companies operating under eleven brands hold licenses issued by the state of Sachsen-Anhalt, with Mernov, Tipwin, and Mybet among the first to launch in the regulated market.
Casino enthusiasts in Germany can enjoy an exciting gambling experience without worrying about safety. All German-friendly gambling sites use advanced SSL encryption to protect players’ sensitive information. However, players should verify that the casino they choose holds a valid license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States.
Online casinos that accept German players typically provide a wide range of payment options to suit every preference. Popular methods include Neteller, Skrill, Giropay, Paysafecard, and Sofort. Deposits are usually processed instantly, and most operators do not charge fees for funding your account. Keep in mind that some casinos exclude deposits made with Skrill or Neteller from bonus offers.
Most online casinos that welcome German players support multiple currencies. However, using Germany’s official currency, the euro (EUR), is recommended to avoid conversion fees. Some sites even allow deposits in various cryptocurrencies. Be aware that certain casinos do not permit players to change their account currency once it has been set.
In the third quarter of 2022, Germany’s gambling tax revenue totaled €596.1 million, of which €123.2 million came from online slots. This indicates that slots are the most popular games among German players. During the same period, online poker generated €8.0 million in tax revenue. Other favorites include blackjack, roulette, and baccarat.