Launching an online casino in Germany
Germany licenses online slots, poker and betting nationally — under some of the tightest product rules in Europe. What the GGL licence covers, the limits it imposes, how stakes are taxed and what that means for a brand. Checked on 27 September 2026.
What licence does an online casino need in Germany?
A licence from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) under the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling. It covers virtual slot machines, online poker and sports betting. Online table games — roulette, blackjack, live dealer — are left to the individual states, and most have not opened them to private operators.
The GGL keeps a whitelist of licensed operators and pursues unlicensed ones, including through payment blocking. Operators from other EU countries can be licensed; what they cannot do is serve German players on a licence from elsewhere.
| Germany | |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) |
| Licence | GGL licence for virtual slots, online poker and sports betting; table games licensed by the states, mostly not open |
| Tax | 5.3% of stakes on virtual slots, online poker and sports betting (source) |
| Limits | €1,000 a month in deposits across all operators by default; €1 a spin, or €3–5 for monitored players over 21 until the end of 2027 (source) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Language | German |
| Popular payments | PayPal, SEPA transfers and instant bank payments, cards |
What limits does the German regime impose?
A deposit limit of €1,000 a month across all licensed operators, enforced through a central system, and a maximum stake of €1 per slot spin. Since 1 July 2026, players over 21 may stake up to €3, and up to €5 after 90 days of monitored play, in a trial that runs until the end of 2027.
Both rules are set out in the GGL's own FAQ. Higher deposit limits of up to €10,000 are possible only after checks on a player's finances. Add the 5.3% tax on stakes rather than on revenue, and the German product is built for low stakes and thin margins.
What does this mean for a launch on WW Games?
Serving German players requires the GGL licence, integration with the central limit system and certified systems. Licensing is the operator's responsibility. WW Games does not hold or sublicense a gambling licence and holds no third-party certifications today, so for a GGL-licensed operation a certified platform is likely the better fit.
The storefront already runs in German. What we do and do not claim on certification is on security, and certified platforms are compared on white label providers.
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Germany questions
Is online casino legal in Germany?
Virtual slots and online poker are, with a GGL licence. Online table games such as roulette and live dealer games are licensed by the individual states, and most have not opened them to private operators.
What is the maximum stake on online slots in Germany?
€1 per spin as a rule. From 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027, players over 21 may stake up to €3, and up to €5 after 90 days of monitored play.
How are online slots taxed in Germany?
5.3% of every stake, not of revenue.
Pick the right platform for your licence
Tell us your markets; we will say plainly whether WW Games fits the licence you need.