Safe and secure gambling in Germany -
if they are operated without a German licence. The Casino Acts usually distinguish between table games e. roulette and card games and slot machine gaming. Although subject to controversy, the majority of German courts have so far regarded poker as a game of chance and not a game of skill.
Therefore, offline poker is only permitted in state-owned casinos. Online casino gambling : While the Interstate Treaty provides for a licensing system for virtual slot machine games, it remains to be seen whether the federal states on a per state basis will issue licences for online casino games i.
particularly roulette, blackjack, baccarat to private operators or will pursue a state monopoly. At the time of writing, some federal states have opened the market to private operators, such as Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine-Westphalia.
They have created the legal basis for this. In Schleswig-Holstein, a call for tenders has already taken place in The majority of the other federal states either have no regulations at all on online casinos or only allow state-run offerings.
Hesse, for example, has given the city of Bad Homburg the possibility to obtain a licence in sec. Thuringia has also stipulated in the Thuringian Gaming and Online Casinos Act that only the state may be granted a licence sec. Betting : The Interstate Treaty only considers online and retail sports betting, i.
fixed odds sports betting, on the outcome of sports events or parts of sports events sec. Bets on non-sports events e. Pool betting pari-mutuel is reserved for the state monopoly. The previously responsible regulator, the Regional Council in Darmstadt, has been issuing sports betting licences since November At the time of writing, the official whitelist includes 30 licensees.
The Trade Regulation Act and the Gaming Ordinance provide the framework regulation and set out the requirements applicable to AWPs; the Interstate Treaty and gaming legislation at state level include further restrictions to gaming hall premises, such as the requirement for a minimum distance to be maintained between such premises.
Horse race betting : For traditional reasons, betting on horse races is regulated under federal law. The Race Betting and Lottery Act regulates organisation of betting on horse racing and taxation rules for lotteries, sports betting, virtual slot games and online poker in general.
The Interstate Treaty partly applies to horse race betting, including general licensing and player protection requirements. Land-based betting on horse racing can be offered by the horse racing associations on race tracks or by bookmakers in retail betting shops.
Lottery including bingo : Only state lottery companies may apply for operating licences. Private operators may only apply for distribution brokering licences, allowing them to sell lottery tickets on behalf of the state lottery companies to promote the products offered by the state lottery companies.
They may be operated without a licence, yet restrictions may apply resulting from general consumer or minor protection laws. Generally, the provisions on lotteries apply. It will depend on the gambling product as to whether licences are available, and which licences or other permits are required or can be applied for, for the lawful offer of the relevant products to persons located in Germany.
By product, the following licences are currently available to private operators:. Casino gaming including poker : Licence for the operation of land-based casinos although the majority of casinos are state-operated.
Licences for operating online casino games may become available as soon as states implement tendering procedures or local monopolies for these games. The timing of future licensing opportunities is not clear yet.
At the time of writing, Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine-Westphalia have made use of the option of opening the market to private operators as well. Online operators can further apply in Saxony-Anhalt for licences for operating virtual slot games and online poker. Any virtual slot machine game needs to be approved by the authority and tested by a test lab accepted by the regulator.
The individual licences are to be obtained from the operator, not from the developer of the games. Sports betting : Licence for the operation and brokerage of online sports betting across Germany, and for land-based sports betting in betting shops.
Sports betting licences have been issued since November Horse race betting : Bookmaker licence under the Race Betting and Lottery Act, as well as the online horse betting licence pursuant to sec. Slot machine gaming : Licence for land-based slot machine gaming AWPs in gaming halls or restaurants and bars as well as virtual slot game licences.
Lotteries : Licence for the brokerage of traditional state lottery products land-based and online ; licence for the operation of charitable lotteries that have their draw results published no more than twice a week, have a top prize worth less than EUR 3 million and do not have a scheduled jackpot.
The operation of traditional lottery products, such as the national lottery or other large-scale lotteries, as well as pool betting, is subject to the state monopoly. Private operators may not apply for such licences. They may only apply for a licence allowing brokerage of the state lottery products.
Operating secondary lotteries is seen as illegal betting activity by German regulators and it is an enforcement priority for regulators. There is no uniform structure for all licensing regimes in Germany.
In terms of the application requirements, the licensing proceedings under the Interstate Treaty, including sports betting and virtual slot machines, generally follow the requirements set out at question 2. The licensure of sports betting and virtual slot machines as well as online poker games essentially consists of only two stages, i.
the application stage, where the regulator expects a written request to be issued with a licence and complete submission of application documents, and a post-licensing stage, where the licence is to be implemented according to an implementation plan to be approved by the regulator.
Since each licensing process depends on the kind of licence an operator applies for, the regulations do not provide for a general timeline for licensing proceedings.
Any application process will, however, set out certain requirements that the applicant or the business needs to fulfil in order to qualify for a licence.
Furthermore, applicants will need to demonstrate that they are willing to provide safe and transparent services and wish to comply with the gaming regulation.
detailed descriptions of their business and related policies including, e. ensure good business conduct is adhered to, comply with local laws and tax obligations, as well as promote personal reliability of staff.
In addition, licences are often issued under conditions such as refraining from certain publicity measures. The Interstate Treaty restricts the application of the licence to the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany and countries that recognise the German licence for their sovereign territories.
It must be noted that licences are only granted to operators whose registered office is in the EU or EEA. Licences issued by states, which have no cross-state effect, will generally be limited in scope to the territory of the state in question.
Licences for the operation of land-based casinos, issued under the Casino Acts of the different states, usually have a licence term of about 10 years, with an option to extend the term for a further five years.
Licences issued under the Gaming Act of Schleswig-Holstein lasted for six years but were effectively extended by means of a transitional regulation, which could extend Schleswig-Holstein online casino licences until 31 December However, in any case, these licences terminate upon the granting of a new licence under the provisions of the Interstate Treaty Sports betting licences issued under the former Interstate Treaty, originally valid until 30 June , were automatically extended under the Interstate Treaty until the end of if they were valid on 30 June and the licensees complied with the changed requirements under the Interstate Treaty These were renewable for a further five years on request in Sports betting, virtual slot machine and online poker licences under the Interstate Treaty have an initial licence term of five years.
Subsequent licences shall have a licence term of seven years. Any licensee needs to comply with all the requirements during the whole period of holding the licence.
If an operator fails to comply with the licence conditions, any licence may be revoked. Licences, however, will not be revoked immediately and without prior notice.
Operators will usually be contacted by the regulators and will be given a chance to comment on and review the alleged violations of the licence conditions and resolve the issues within a certain timeframe.
Please include in this answer any material promotion and advertising restrictions. Casino gaming including poker : Some federal states limit the number of tables and slots allowed in casinos.
Barred players may not enter the gaming area or play in casinos. Strict entrance controls need to be established in order to ensure that this is the case.
These controls include matching the players with a nationwide player-barring database. Online casino licences apply on a state-by-state basis and the states have yet to decide whether to operate a state monopoly on online casino games or whether to allow licences to be issued to private operators, too.
The maximum number of online casino licences per state is limited by and supposed to equal the number of bricks-and-mortar casinos in a specific state. Virtual slot licences have been available since the Interstate Treaty entered into force.
Key restrictions include a EUR 1 stake limit per spin, five seconds minimum spin duration, no autoplay function and the prohibition of jackpots.
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You might also like. March 22, Articles. The Interstate Treaty on Gambling Glücksspielstaatsvertrag initially set out to ban all forms of online gambling, except sports betting. However, the enforcement of this ban faced challenges, leading to a liberalization in the subsequent amendments to the Treaty.
The latest amendment, which came into effect in , has provided a more unified and comprehensive framework for gambling across the country, including the legalization and regulation of online casinos and sports betting.
Online casinos and sports betting are now legal in Germany under the new regulatory framework, provided operators obtain licenses and adhere to strict regulations. These regulations include player protection measures, such as deposit limits, restrictions on in-game advertisements , and mandatory use of a nationwide player-banning database.
The legalization aims to bring the widely popular but formerly unregulated online German gambling market under state control to combat black-market operations and increase consumer protection.
The future trajectory of online gambling legislation in Germany appears to be towards further regulation and standardization across the federal states. The new regulatory framework is expected to evolve , addressing emerging challenges such as ensuring responsible gambling, preventing addiction, and incorporating technological advancements.
Economic incentives, including the potential tax revenue from licensed online gambling operations, are also significant factors influencing future legislative developments. Public opinion in Germany regarding online gambling has been mixed, with growing awareness and concern over gambling addiction and consumer protection.
These concerns will likely influence the pace and direction of legal reforms in the gambling sector. As online gambling continues to grow, a balance between economic benefits, technological innovation, and responsible gambling practices will likely guide the legislative changes, ensuring a safe and regulated environment for German gamblers.
Following the amendments to the Interstate Treaty on Gambling in , the legalisation of online casinos and sports betting has opened new revenue streams and legitimized a sector previously operating in a grey area.
This regulatory shift has not only attracted new operators to the market but also enhanced consumer confidence in using these platforms, contributing to an increase in revenue.
Industry reports indicate a significant rise in online gambling activities, with sports betting and online casino games being the major contributors to this growth. The regulatory environment, while becoming more stringent, is expected to stabilize, providing a clear framework for operators and consumers.
Technological advancements and changing consumer habits are likely to drive further growth. The German gambling scene offers diverse experiences, with land-based and online casinos presenting unique advantages and drawbacks.
While traditional casinos provide the unmistakable buzz of a live atmosphere, online casinos offer unparalleled convenience and a vast selection of games.
The choice between the tactile allure of physical casinos and the digital sophistication of online platforms depends on personal preferences and the value placed on different aspects of gambling.
Gambling in Germany has a long and intricate history dating back centuries. It began as a popular pastime in various social settings, from medieval courts to local taverns. Over the years, gambling evolved in form and scope, especially with the advent of more organized gambling in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Notably, Germany has been home to some of the oldest casinos in Europe, with establishments like the Casino Baden-Baden dating back to the early s.
However, the attitude towards gambling in Germany has fluctuated over time, influenced by social, economic, and political changes.
Periods of liberal gambling laws have alternated with times of strict regulation, reflecting the changing views on the role and impact of gambling in society. The modern era of gambling in Germany began with more structured legislation, particularly in the 20th century.
The state initially monopolised gambling, but this changed with the enactment of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling in , revised several times, most recently in These legislative changes aimed to regulate the growing presence of online gambling and align German laws with European Union standards.
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