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At a glance
| Full name | Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, Germany |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, Halle |
| Country | Germany, all sixteen states |
| Since | Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021; the authority took over all licensing in 2023 |
| Covers | Sports betting, virtual slots and online poker; online casino table games remain with the states |
| Player funds | Segregated; the operator must hold a security deposit with the authority |
| Complaints | Operator first, then the authority; consumer courts for payment disputes |
| Self-exclusion | OASIS, the national file, checked at every login |
| Deposit limit | 1,000 euros a month across all licensed operators, tracked by the LUGAS system |
| Tax | 5.3 percent of every stake, paid by the operator and priced into the odds |
| How to verify | The licensed operator list published by the GGL; the OASIS check at registration |
What the licence actually enforces
The German system is built around two databases. LUGAS tracks every player’s deposits across all licensed operators so the 1,000 euro monthly limit cannot be dodged by opening a second account; OASIS holds self-exclusions and is checked before every session. On top sit product rules: live betting only on final results and the next scoring event in most sports, no in-play on corners or cards, and a stake tax of 5.3 percent that operators pay on turnover, which is why German odds carry a visible surcharge.
What it means for you
Nobody is going to lose a month’s salary on a licensed German site, which is the point. For the ordinary bettor the price is a thinner live menu and worse prices than the same brand offers in Austria or the UK. Payments and withdrawals are reliable, verification is strict, and the operators are the same European groups you find everywhere else.
How to check a site holds it
The GGL publishes a white list of licensed operators and domains. If a site is not on it, it is not licensed, whatever its footer says. Licensed sites apply the 1,000 euro limit and the OASIS check automatically; a site that does not is unlicensed.
Weak points
The deposit cap and the live restrictions push high-volume bettors to unlicensed sites, which is the opposite of what the treaty intended. Prices are among the worst in Europe after France.
Our tested bookmakers licensed in Germany
Four of the twenty-two hold a German licence; our Germany page ranks them beside the German brands.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 1,000 euro limit per operator?
No, it is shared across every licensed operator through the LUGAS system. Higher limits can be requested with proof of income.
Why is live betting so limited?
The treaty allows in-play bets only on the final result and the next scoring event in most sports.
Is there a tax on winnings?
No; the 5.3 percent tax is on stakes and is paid by the operator, but it is reflected in the odds.