Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the GGL's decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a gambling license in Germany.
Germany licenses online gambling under the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (GlüStV 2021), and the joint authority of the 16 Länder, the GGL in Halle, issues the permits. Virtual slots, online poker and sports betting can be licensed nationwide; online casino table games cannot, and stay with the Länder. A permit needs an EU/EEA seat and a EUR 5,000,000 bank guarantee, and it runs 5 years the first time, 7 after. The base deposit limit is EUR 1,000 a month per player, across all operators.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Germany in brief
One national authority, with online casino left to the Länder.
The Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 is an interstate treaty of the 16 Länder, dated 29 October 2020 and amended by the treaty of 24 March 2022, in force since 1 January 2023. It set up the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), a public-law institution in Halle (Saale), established on 1 July 2021 and fully in charge since 1 January 2023. The GGL issues nationwide permits for virtual slots and online poker (§§ 22a, 22b) and for sports betting (§ 21), each read with §§ 4-4c. Online casino table games are different. Under § 22c each Land may run them itself or grant a limited number of concessions tied to its casino framework, and by 26 May 2025 only Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria had issued online casino licences, 5 concessions between them. The applicant needs a seat in the EU or EEA, and a domestic authorised representative if it has no German seat (§ 4a).
Under § 4c a permit runs five years when first granted and seven years after that. It requires an unlimited bank guarantee of EUR 5,000,000 from an EU/EEA credit institution, which can be raised to one month's expected average turnover, at most EUR 50,000,000. §§ 4b and 4c set no deadline for the decision. Player protection runs through central systems. The LUGAS limit file enforces a EUR 1,000 monthly deposit limit across all operators (§ 6c), and OASIS holds the national self-exclusions. Slots are set at EUR 1 per spin; tiered stakes of up to EUR 5 are allowed from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027. Tax is federal. The 2021 reform of the Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz introduced a 5.3% tax on stakes for virtual slots and online poker, the rate its bill also sets for sports betting.
GlüStV 2021: the GGL in Halle issues nationwide permits for virtual slots, online poker and sports betting - EU/EEA seat, EUR 5,000,000 bank guarantee, 5 years first, 7 after. Casino tables stay with the Länder (§ 22c).
EUR 1,000 monthly deposit cap, EUR 1 per spin, daytime ad ban; 5.3% stake taxes from the 2021 reform. Built from Frankfurt.
Two realities
Nationwide permits - and a casino segment run by the Länder.
The GGL licenses three online products for the whole country. Online casino table games are outside its remit, and that boundary decides how a German product is built.
Nationwide GGL permits - with the Länder casino boundary mapped.
01 - GGL PERMITS · SLOTS, POKER, BETTING
The nationwide permits
Virtual slot games (§ 22a), online poker (§ 22b) and sports betting (§ 21), each a separate GGL permit with its own forms. First permits run 5 years, later ones 7 (§ 4c(1)). The applicant posts a EUR 5,000,000 bank guarantee and connects to LUGAS and OASIS, both mandatory for online providers.
Virtual slot games (§ 22a), online poker (§ 22b) and sports betting (§ 21), each a separate GGL permit with its own forms. First permits run 5 years, later ones 7 (§ 4c(1)). The applicant posts a EUR 5,000,000 bank guarantee and connects to LUGAS and OASIS, both mandatory for online providers.
- ✓Virtual slots § 22a · poker § 22b
- ✓Sports betting § 21, approved markets only
- ✓EUR 5,000,000 bank guarantee (§ 4c(3))
- ✓5-year first term, 7 years after
- ✓EU/EEA seat, German representative
- ✓LUGAS and OASIS connection mandatory
02 - ONLINE CASINO TABLE GAMES · LÄNDER CONCESSIONS
5 concessions, 2 LänderThe Länder concession segment
Online roulette, blackjack, baccarat and live tables are not GGL products. Under § 22c each Land may offer them itself or grant a limited number of concessions linked to its casino framework as of 17 January 2020. As of 26 May 2025 only Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria had licensed online casino, 5 concessions in all.
Online roulette, blackjack and live tables: Länder concessions under § 22c only - 5 in Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria as of May 2025.
- ✓Roulette, blackjack, baccarat, live tables
- ✓§ 22c - Land offer or concession
- ✓Concessions tied to Land casino law
- ✓5 concessions as of May 2025
- ✓Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria only
- ✓Slot permits may not say 'Online Casino'
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. GGL permit fees and the LUGAS and OASIS charges are confirmed in the quote; guarantee and banking costs are itemised.
Why Germany
A national permit with a public whitelist.
Germany is demanding on product and on capital; these are the reasons operators still take the GGL route, and the warning that comes with it.
✓
One permit, sixteen Länder
A GGL permit for slots, poker or betting covers every Land, decided by one authority in Halle rather than 16 separate ones.Decided in Halle.
✓
A whitelist players can check
The GGL's whitelist counted 129 permitted operators and brokers and 229 gambling sites in September 2026.129 operators and brokers.
✓
Mostly regulated play
The GGL cites a study putting 77% of the online gambling market in the regulated channel, and 5.3 million players were registered in LUGAS at the end of 2025.5.3 million LUGAS players.
✓
The grey market is policed
By end-2025 blocking had made 1,843 illegal websites unreachable from Germany; 178 sites lost their payment providers and 254 illegal operators withdrew.1,843 sites blocked by end-2025.
✓
A long permit term
5 years for a first permit and 7 for each one after (§ 4c(1)), so the guarantee and the integration work spread over a long run.5 years, then 7.
✓
Product rules bite
A EUR 1,000 monthly deposit limit across operators, EUR 1 per spin on slots (up to EUR 5 in stages until 31 December 2027) and no slot, poker or casino ads between 06:00 and 21:00.EUR 1,000 a month, EUR 1 spins.
How it compares
How Germany differs from other routes.
Germany taxes stakes rather than revenue and asks for a EUR 5,000,000 guarantee, against €50,000 in the Netherlands. Denmark and the Netherlands tax GGR instead, at 28% and 37.8%.
Germany vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Germany | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Tax base | 5.3% of stakes (2021 reform) | GGR: 28% (DK) · 37.8% (NL, 2026) |
| Security | EUR 5,000,000 bank guarantee | €50,000 (Netherlands) |
| Casino table games | Länder concessions only | Inside the main licence (DK, NL) |
| Permit term | 5 years first, 7 after | Up to 5 years (DK) · 5 years (NL) |
Tax base
Germany5.3% of stakes (2021 reform)
Other jurisdictionsGGR: 28% (DK) · 37.8% (NL, 2026)
Security
GermanyEUR 5,000,000 bank guarantee
Other jurisdictions€50,000 (Netherlands)
Casino table games
GermanyLänder concessions only
Other jurisdictionsInside the main licence (DK, NL)
Permit term
Germany5 years first, 7 after
Other jurisdictionsUp to 5 years (DK) · 5 years (NL)
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | GGL slots · poker · betting | 5.3% of stakes (2021 reform) | €5M bank guarantee, EU/EEA seat |
 Netherlands | Ksa remote gambling licence | 37.8% GGR (2026) | €61,300 fee, EU/EEA seat |
 Denmark | DGA betting · online casino · supplier | 28% GGR · 22% CIT | DKK 343,300 fee, EU/EEA or representative |
 Malta | MGA B2C · B2B | 5% eff. via refunds · 5% Malta GGR | €100k/€40k capital, key functions |
GermanyLicense typeGGL slots · poker · betting
Taxation5.3% of stakes (2021 reform)
Requirements€5M bank guarantee, EU/EEA seat
NetherlandsLicense typeKsa remote gambling licence
Taxation37.8% GGR (2026)
Requirements€61,300 fee, EU/EEA seat
DenmarkLicense typeDGA betting · online casino · supplier
Taxation28% GGR · 22% CIT
RequirementsDKK 343,300 fee, EU/EEA or representative
MaltaLicense typeMGA B2C · B2B
Taxation5% eff. via refunds · 5% Malta GGR
Requirements€100k/€40k capital, key functions
Before you apply
Requirements for the German permit.Requirements for the licence.
The GGL looks at the seat, the security, the product and the player-protection plumbing. A complete file holds the following.
01
EU/EEA seat - the applicant has its seat in an EU member state or an EEA state (§ 4a(1) no. 3(b)).
02
German representative - without a seat in Germany, a domestic authorised recipient and representative who passes the reliability test (§ 4a(1) no. 3(c)).
03
Bank guarantee - EUR 5,000,000 as an unlimited, directly enforceable guarantee from an EU/EEA credit institution, raisable to one month's expected average turnover, at most EUR 50,000,000 (§ 4c(3)).
04
Product-specific application - separate GGL forms and guidance notes for virtual slots, online poker, sports betting and horse-race betting.
05
Approved betting markets - sports bets offered only in types and formats approved in advance, from the GGL's lists (§ 21).
06
LUGAS connection - the limit and activity files that enforce the EUR 1,000 monthly deposit limit (§ 6c) and stop parallel play.
07
OASIS connection - the national self-exclusion system run by the Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt, with self-exclusions of at least 3 months.
08
Player accounts - one account per provider, identity verified before play, provisional play for at most 72 hours with deposits up to EUR 100 and no withdrawals.
09
Slot design - EUR 1 per spin as the base rule, a 24-hour panic button and a 1-minute wait when switching game types on one domain.
10
AML programme - obliged entity under § 2(1) no. 15 GwG, supervised by the GGL (§ 50 no. 8 GwG), reporting to the FIU through goAML (§ 43 GwG).
01
EU/EEA seat.
02
German representative if no seat.
03
EUR 5M bank guarantee.
04
Separate filing per product.
05
Approved betting markets only.
06
LUGAS connected.
07
OASIS connected.
08
One account, 72-hour limit.
09
EUR 1 spins, panic button.
10
GwG with goAML reporting.
Reflects the GlüStV 2021 as amended in 2022 and GGL practice as of 2026. Material changes must be reported to the GGL without delay (§ 4b(3)).GlüStV 2021 (2022 amendments), as of 2026.
How it works
From first call to the GGL whitelist.
01
Products and boundary
Slots, poker or betting under the GGL, and any casino table games mapped to the Länder - fixed in writing.Casino mapped first.
02
Seat, people and guarantee
EU/EEA entity, a German representative where needed, and the EUR 5,000,000 bank guarantee lined up.EUR 5M lined up.
03
The GGL application
Separate filings per product to the GGL in Halle, with the documents on security, seat and representative.Per product, to Halle.
04
Review and integration
Document requests under § 4b(2) answered while LUGAS and OASIS are connected. §§ 4b and 4c set no deadline; we plan 9-12 months end to end.9-12 months realistic.
05
Permit and launch
A 5-year first permit and whitelist entry, with the stake tax and deposit limits running from the first day.5 years, whitelisted.
Quick facts
RegulatorGGL, Halle (Saale)
FrameworkGlüStV 2021
Nationwide permitsSlots · poker · sports betting
Online casino tablesLänder concessions (§ 22c)
Bank guaranteeEUR 5,000,000
Permit term5 years · 7 on renewal
Deposit limitEUR 1,000 a month
Realistic timeline9-12 months
No permit is granted without the EUR 5,000,000 guarantee (§ 4c(3)), and no German site goes live without LUGAS and OASIS, so we run both tracks alongside the drafting.
On the ground in Germany
Run from our Frankfurt office.
Prifinance - Germany
Frankfurt · Germany
Frankfurt, Germany
01
Seat and representative
EU/EEA seat confirmed and, without a German seat, the domestic authorised representative named under § 4a(1) no. 3(c).§ 4a covered.
02
Guarantee and banking
The EUR 5,000,000 guarantee arranged with an EU/EEA credit institution, with headroom planned for an increase towards one month's turnover.EUR 5M, EU/EEA bank.
03
The GGL file
Product-by-product applications for slots, poker or betting, and the GGL's document requests under § 4b(2) answered.Product by product.
04
LUGAS, OASIS and limits
Both systems connected and the EUR 1,000 deposit-limit logic built before launch, with the 06:00-21:00 advertising window planned in.Connected before launch.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Väike-Paala tn 1
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of gaming operators in Germany.
Federal gambling taxes come from the Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz and fall on stakes, not on revenue. We confirm the rate and filing in force for your product before quoting.
Virtual slots: 5.3% of stakes
The 2021 reform of the Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz introduced a virtual slot tax of 5.3% (§ 38 of the reform bill), charged on the stake less the tax itself.Of stakes, 2021 reform.
Online poker: 5.3% of stakes
The same reform introduced an online poker tax, also 5.3% of the stake less the tax (§§ 46-48 of the bill).Of stakes, 2021 reform.
Sports betting: 5.3% of stakes
The reform bill sets sports betting at 5.3% of the stake less the tax (§§ 16-18).Of stakes.
Turnover, not GGR
All three are charged on what players stake, so a product's margin decides how heavily the tax weighs on it.Not GGR.
System fees on top
Connection to OASIS, the LUGAS limit file and the parallel-play file is chargeable to operators (§§ 8c, 6c(10), 6h(8)); the amounts are confirmed in the quote.OASIS, LUGAS chargeable.
Where the rates come from
The 5.3% rates are set out in federal bill BT-Drucksache 19/28400 of 13 April 2021, the 2021 reform of the Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz.BT-Drs. 19/28400.
Tax summary
Virtual slots5.3% of stakes
Online poker5.3% of stakes
Sports betting5.3% of stakes
Tax baseStakes, not GGR
Source2021 RennwLottG reform
*As of 2026 per the 2021 reform of the Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz and the GlüStV 2021. Group and founder-level outcomes are modelled per structure.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: EU/EEA entity with German representative, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, licensed operator.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Germany · GGL
Launch your gaming project in Germany with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from the EU/EEA seat and EUR 5,000,000 guarantee to the GGL permits and LUGAS integration - run through our Frankfurt office.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Germany the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The German gambling permit, answered.
Which online gambling can be licensed in Germany?+
Virtual slot games, online poker and sports betting, each by a separate nationwide GGL permit, plus internet horse-race betting with an extra bookmaker permit from the Land. Online casino table games sit with the Länder under § 22c, and lotteries remain a state monopoly.
Can I get an online licence for roulette or blackjack?+
Only from a Land, not from the GGL. Under § 22c each Land may run online table games itself or grant a limited number of concessions; by 26 May 2025 only Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria had issued online casino licences, 5 concessions in total.
What security does a permit require?+
A EUR 5,000,000 unlimited, directly enforceable bank guarantee from an EU/EEA credit institution, covering players' payout claims and state claims (§ 4c(3)). The authority can raise it to one month's expected average turnover, at most EUR 50,000,000.
Who can apply?+
A company with its seat in the EU or EEA (§ 4a(1) no. 3(b)). Without a German seat it must name a domestic authorised recipient and representative who passes the reliability test (§ 4a(1) no. 3(c)).
How long is a permit valid, and how long does it take?+
Five years when first granted and seven years for each later permit (§ 4c(1)). §§ 4b and 4c set no deadline for the decision, so we plan for 9-12 months end to end.
How is online gambling taxed?+
On stakes, not on revenue. The 2021 reform of the Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz introduced 5.3% taxes on virtual slots and online poker, the rate its bill also sets for sports betting. We confirm the rate and filing in force for your product before quoting.
What are the player limits?+
A EUR 1,000 monthly deposit limit across all operators (§ 6c), which can rise to EUR 30,000 for players who show financial capacity and no problem gambling. Slots run at EUR 1 per spin; since 1 July 2026 tiered stakes up to EUR 5 are allowed until 31 December 2027.
What advertising is allowed?+
No advertising for virtual slots, online poker or online casino games on TV, radio or the internet between 06:00 and 21:00, and sports betting has restrictions of its own. A slot permit holder may not advertise as an 'Online Casino'.
Germany or the Netherlands for an EU operator?+
The Netherlands has a 6-month statutory decision period and one licence that includes casino games, but taxes 37.8% of GGR in 2026. Germany splits off casino tables and taxes stakes at 5.3% under the 2021 reform, with a EUR 5,000,000 guarantee against the Dutch €50,000.
Why Prifinance for Germany?+
We run German files from our Frankfurt office: the EU/EEA seat and representative, the EUR 5,000,000 guarantee, product-by-product GGL applications and the LUGAS and OASIS integration. The casino boundary is mapped before anything is filed.
What can be licensed?+
Slots, poker, betting.
Online casino?+
Länder concessions only.
Security?+
EUR 5M bank guarantee.
Who can apply?+
EU/EEA seat + representative.
Term and timing?+
5 then 7 years; 9-12 months.
Tax?+
5.3% of stakes (2021).
Limits?+
EUR 1,000 a month.
Advertising?+
None 06:00-21:00.
Or Netherlands?+
Statutory clock there, GGR tax.
Why you?+
Frankfurt office, boundary mapped.
Client notes
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which German permits fit your products and what the GGL route will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.