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    Germany
    18+Gamble responsibly

    Germany · Betting laws

    Is Sports Betting Legal in Germany?

    Operators apply to the GGL for a sports betting licence and are listed on its whitelist once approved. Licensed sites must connect to the OASIS self-exclusion file and the LUGAS limit file, and may only offer bet types allowed by the treaty.

    Legal age
    18+
    Licensed sportsbooks
    1
    Tax on winnings
    None (5.3% betting tax on stakes, often passed on)

    By Legal Betting Reviews editorial team · Updated

    At a glance

    Minimum age
    18+
    Tax on winnings
    Recreational bettors pay no income tax on winnings, but the 5.3% betting tax on stakes is often passed on by operators.
    Operator tax
    Operators pay Sportwettensteuer of 5.3% on stakes (net of the tax itself) under the Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz.
    Help
    Check dein Spiel (BIÖG, formerly BZgA) · 0800 1 37 27 00 · check-dein-spiel.de

    The main laws

    • 2021

      Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (GlüStV 2021)

      Interstate treaty that legalised licensed online sports betting, virtual slots and poker from 1 July 2021, with strict player-protection rules.

    • 2012

      Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz (RennwLottG)

      Federal law that has taxed sports bets since 2012; the 2021 reform set the rate at 5.3% of the stake.

    How to check a sportsbook's licence

    1. Open the GGL whitelist on gluecksspiel-behoerde.de.
    2. Search for the operator's company name and check that sports betting (Sportwetten) and the exact domain are listed.
    3. Confirm the site asks you to set a deposit limit and checks OASIS at sign-up; unlicensed sites skip these steps.

    Open the official licence register

    Recent changes

    1. The GlüStV 2021 came into force on 1 July, creating nationwide online sports betting licences and the OASIS and LUGAS systems.

    2. The GGL took over licensing and supervision of online gambling from the individual states on 1 January.

    3. A GGL guideline set out when operators may raise a player's deposit limit above €1,000 (up to €10,000, or €30,000 for a small share of customers) after affordability checks.

    4. The evaluation of the GlüStV 2021 is due by 31 December, and an amending treaty is going through state parliaments.

    Sources

    This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the regulator's website for the latest rules.