Gambling license in Germany
Last Update: 18.03.2026
A gambling license in Germany is an official authorization to operate gambling activities in one of the most strictly regulated jurisdictions in Europe. The license permits operators to legally offer online sports betting, virtual slot machines, and poker throughout the country.
The legal team at Gofaizen & Sherle provide comprehensive support for obtaining a German gambling license: they help register a company, prepare a package of documents, undergo technical certification, ensure compliance with AML requirements, and establish communication with the regulator.
A GGL license is a state license that grants the right to conduct gambling activities in Germany. Obtaining it confirms the operator’s compliance with legal requirements and provides legal access to one of the most stable and regulated markets in Europe. Having a license increases the level of trust from financial institutions, payment providers, and partners and minimizes legal risks for the business.
Control and supervision of the gambling industry in Germany is carried out based on the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021). Licenses are issued by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) – a single regulator responsible for issuing permits, monitoring operators’ activities, and enforcing measures to protect players’ rights. The law sets strict requirements for transparency, financial stability, technical security, and compliance with responsible gaming principles.
A German online gambling license is required for:
- Legal entities planning to provide online gambling in Germany;
- International operators entering the EU market and wishing to operate within the legal framework;
- companies that need access to the EU banking and payment infrastructure;
- organizations seeking to confirm their high level of reliability and regulatory compliance.
License holders may offer online sports betting, virtual slot machines, and poker. At the same time, activities related to roulette and other table games are regulated separately at the federal and state levels and require additional permits. The law strictly limits advertising, sets betting and deposit limits, and imposes strict requirements to protect users’ interests. Violation of these provisions may result in license revocation and administrative sanctions.
Advantages of a gambling license in Germany
A gambling license in Germany allows companies to operate legally in one of the most reliable markets in Europe. Key advantages of licensing:
Recognized mark of quality and trust
A German license is a marker of a company’s reliability. Banks, payment providers, and partners consider it an important criterion of legality and stability.
Transparent regulation with unified oversight
GlüStV 2021 established uniform rules for online operators while the GGL centralized regulatory oversight.
This simplifies compliance and reduces the risk of unreasonable decisions by the regulator.
Access to one of the largest markets in the EU
Germany is a market with industry revenues of over €14 billion and growing interest from the younger generation. The license opens up legal access to this audience.
Long licensing terms
The first licenses are issued for 5 years with a subsequent extension for 7 years. This provides confidence in long-term investments and strategic growth.
Flexibility in building a business
Separate licenses for betting, slots, and poker allow you to scale your business in stages, focus on profitable areas, and minimize regulatory overlaps.
High level of protection and compliance with standards
Mandatory connection of operators to the LUGAS and OASIS systems demonstrates responsibility to players and automates compliance with key legal requirements.
Protection from illegal competitors
Licensed operators receive legal protection and can participate in cooperation with the regulator. For example, they can use mechanisms to block illegal sites and exclude unscrupulous players.
Legislative Framework and Regulatory Authority in Germany
Gambling regulation in Germany is based on centralized control of the online sector and regional regulation of offline operators. The main legal act is the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021), which came into force on July 1, 2021. It established uniform rules for all states, distributed powers between supervisory authorities, and introduced centralized licensing for key types of online gambling.
Since 2023, the online market has been supervised by GGL, a single-state gambling regulatory authority. It issues licenses for online sports betting, poker, and virtual slot machines, monitors compliance with license terms, implements responsible gaming tools, and combats illegal activities.
In 2024, GGL expanded its enforcement powers: it conducts more active inspections, issues prohibitive orders, and interacts with payment providers to monitor transactions. Key elements of regulation are the LUGAS (deposit and limit monitoring) and OASIS (player self-exclusion) systems, which all licensed operators are required to connect to.
Oversight of the land-based sector remains with the GGL which regulates casinos, gaming halls, lotteries, and betting shops. Online roulette and other table games are licensed at the state level and do not fall under the jurisdiction of the GGL. Some regions have monopolies, while others have limited licenses for private operators.
The following also participate in regulation:
BaFin – Financial supervision, KYC/AML compliance control, and transaction monitoring.
Deutsche Lotto– und Totoblock (DLTB) – Coordination of state lottery activities, establishment of uniform standards for the lottery sector.
EU law – Regulation in terms of consumer protection, free movement of services, and ensuring a competitive environment.
Gambling regulation in Germany is based on four key legal levels:
- Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) – the main document for online gambling. Defines licensing rules, deposit limits, and requirements for operators.
- State laws regulate the offline sector (casinos, gaming halls, lotteries, and table games). Each state establishes its own licensing procedure.
- Anti-Money Laundering Act (GwG) regulates KYC/AML measures and financial control.
- Subordinate legislation under LUGAS and OASIS provides technical control over deposits, bets, and player self-exclusion. Connection to these systems is mandatory.
Type of Gambling Licenses in Germany
In Germany, Glücksspielstaatsvertrag licenses can be issued to operators for various categories of gambling activities. Below are the main types of licenses that are regulated under GlüStV 2021 and supervised by GGL:
| License type | What it allows | Who regulates it | Main requirements | Validity period | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online sports betting | Betting on sporting events, including live betting with restrictions on types and time | Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) | Financial guarantee, KYC/AML compliance, connection to LUGAS, deposit limit control | 5 years (first license), 7 years (renewal) | Live betting is formally permitted, but its scope is significantly limited by regulatory requirements |
| Virtual slot machines | Online slots and slot machines | GGL | Max. €1 per spin, ≥5 sec/spin, jackpots prohibited, mandatory connection to LUGAS and OASIS | 5 years (first license), 7 years (renewal) | |
| Online poker | Organization of online poker | GGL | Financial guarantees, technical control, integration with LUGAS/OASIS | 5 years (first license), 7 years (renewal) | Requirements are similar to those for slots and betting licenses |
| Online casino (Table Games — roulette, blackjack, etc.) | Online table games | State authorities | Separate rules for each state, financial guarantee, and technical compliance | Set by the states (usually 7 years) | GGL does not regulate this type of game (Section 22c GlüStV 2021); licensing is entirely delegated to the state authorities |
Premises License
Issued by local authorities and applies to physical premises – casinos, bingo halls, and betting shops.
Main conditions:
- Applications can only be submitted after obtaining (or simultaneously submitting) an Operating License.
- The right to use the premises must be confirmed.
- Within 7 days of submission, HMRC, the police, the fire service, the health inspectorate, the planning department, the licensing authority, and the child protection service are notified.
Requirements for obtaining a German gambling license
To operate legally in the German jurisdiction and obtain a German online gambling license, the following requirements must be met:
- The company must be registered within the EU/EEA or have a branch in Germany or another EEA country.
- Key persons are required to undergo a fit & proper check: reputation, no criminal record/bankruptcies, and proven management experience.
- Confirm financial stability: business plan, sources of funds, liquidity, bank guarantee/deposit as required by the regulator.
- The gaming platform and software must be certified by an accredited laboratory (RNG, integrations, reporting).
- Servers and data processing must be located in the EU/EEA, and remote access to reports and logs must be provided to the regulator.
- All user documentation (T&C, privacy policy, RG) must be in German, and a German version of the website/client must be supported.
- Mandatory integration with government systems: LUGAS (limits/monitoring) and OASIS (self-exclusion), limits, notifications, and player activity monitoring must be implemented.
- Payment transactions are only permitted through licensed providers; Deposits/payouts must be made to the player’s personal account (third-party/anonymous methods are excluded).
- Implement internal AML/KYC procedures: appointment of an MLRO, implementation of risk-based monitoring, and configuration of STR/SAR notifications.
- Comply with product restrictions: for slots, max. €1 per spin, ≥5 sec/spin, auto-spin prohibited; for live betting, only permitted events/intervals; for poker, anti-collusion measures.
- Advertising must comply with GlüStV restrictions. Time/channel limits, risk warnings, and prohibition of misleading offers.
- External audit and regular reporting to the regulator (GGL) are mandatory, with readiness for audits and inspections.
The process of obtaining a gambling license in Germany
Step 1: Preparatory stage
First, determine the format of the business (betting, virtual slots, or poker) and payment channels. Check compliance with the basic requirements of GlüStV/GwG: the presence of AML/KYC, responsible gaming rules, integrations with LUGAS and OASIS, as well as technical standards.
Step 2: Legal and financial basis
Register your company in the EU/EEA, prepare a transparent ownership structure, and documents on key persons. Develop a business plan and financial model, confirm sources of funds, and arrange a bank guarantee or deposit.
Step 3: Compliance and player protection
Implement AML/KYC: identity verification, sanctions lists, and monitoring. Set deposit and playing time limits, self-exclusion mechanisms, and a risk response system.
Step 4: Technology and security infrastructure
Set up an information security system (ISO 27001 or equivalent), hosting in the EU/EEA, and disaster recovery plans. Pass RNG and key integration testing, set up logging, and change control.
Step 5: Integrations with LUGAS and OASIS
Connect test environments, set up data transfer format, regular backups, and procedures for handling failures. This is a mandatory requirement for all online operators.
Step 6 : Product, payment, and marketing setup
Integrate the requirements into your product:
- for slots, a limit of €1 per spin, ≥5 seconds between spins, no autospin;
- for betting, permitted events and intervals;
- for poker, protection against collusion.
Use only licensed payment providers. Prepare T&C (Terms and Conditions), privacy policy, and responsible gaming rules in German. Set up advertising policy and GDPR compliance.
Step 7: Applying and getting games approved
Put together a package of documents and submit your application to GGL, paying the fee. Appoint a person responsible for communicating with the regulator.
Documents to be attached to the application:
- corporate documents and UBO,
- fit & proper; business plan/finances + guarantee/deposit;
- AML/KYC and RG policies;
- platform/ISMS/BCP description;
- laboratory reports (RNG/integrations);
- LUGAS/OASIS diagrams and logic;
- product restrictions;
- agreements with PSPs/vendors/affiliates;
- T&C/Privacy/RG/complaints (DE) and advertising material templates.
In addition to an operator license, each game must obtain GGL approval.
- Fill out the GGL CSV template for each game (RTP, limits, tempo, etc.);
- Provide remote access to the game for functional testing.
- Specify the priority of the review (the first wave can be approved simultaneously with the operator license);
- Expect a GGL re-review if there are significant changes to the game after approval.
Request more information about the German gambling license
Administrative & license fees for a GGL license in Germany
The fee system for a Glücksspielstaatsvertrag license consists of several blocks. The basic application fee is calculated based on the volume of “protected stakes” on a scale with minimum thresholds. An annual supervisory fee is then charged (depending on the scale and risk profile of the operator), and a deposit/bank guarantee is made as financial security for obligations. Additionally, compliance operating costs (LUGAS/OASIS integration, independent tests, audits) and the tax burden on the amount of bets are taken into account.
| Payment | Base/formula | Minimum | When payable | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee (one-time fee) | 0.20% of protected stakes < €40 million | €100 | Upon submission | Further ranges: 0.16% (€40-65 million; min. €80k), 0.10% (€65-130 million; min. €120k), 0.06% (>€130 million; min. €185k) |
| Annual supervision fee | GGL supervision fee scale | from €50,000* | Annually | *Estimated; actual amount depends on operator size and compliance history |
| Security deposit (security deposit/guarantee) | Fixed amount | €5,000,000 | One-time upon issuance | Required for first license; valid for the term |
| Compliance & technology (indicative costs) | Testing, integrations, RG tools | — | As needed | Independent tests ~€15-30k/year; implementation of RG tools ~€50k (setup) |
| Taxes on bets | On the amount of bets (stakes) | — | Monthly | 5.3% (online verticals); for sports betting, 5% of the bet amount |
| Renewal (renewal) | — | — | — | No separate renewal; 5-year license + 7-year renewal, with annual supervision remaining in place |
Penalties for gambling in Germany
Sanctions are enshrined in the Interstate Treaty on Gambling, state laws, AML (GwG) regulations, and tax law. To avoid penalties, operators must obtain a valid gambling license, strictly comply with the licensing conditions of the regulator in Germany, integrate with LUGAS and OASIS, maintain full AML/KYC procedures, use certified software, comply with advertising restrictions (including affiliate control), pay taxes on time, and undergo audits.
Operating without a license (operators)
- Administrative fines ranging from €500,000 to several million.
- Orders to cease operations, website blocking, and confiscation of income.
- Criminal liability for managers, up to and including imprisonment.
Non-compliance with license conditions
- Fines, suspension/revocation of license, and temporary restrictions on activities.
- For AML/KYC violations, serious fines and/or criminal prosecution.
Liability of individuals
- Participation in illegal games: fines up to €10,000.
- Tax violations: substantial fines and possible criminal liability.
Land-based gambling establishments
- Fines for exceeding the limit on slot machines and other violations.
- License revocation for gross violations (admission of minors, etc.).
- Temporary closure of the facility.
Advertising
- Violations of advertising rules: fines of €50,000-€500,000 depending on the severity.
- Additional sanctions and increased fines will be imposed for repeat violations.
According to the regulator’s reports, the rejection rate for German gaming licenses is approximately 48%. To avoid being rejected, make sure in advance that the rules and all user texts are written in correct German, the game mechanics strictly comply with GlüStV limits (no more than €1 per spin and no less than five seconds between spins), the declared RTP and payout tables are identical to the actual mathematics of the product, and in-game decisions do not encourage prolonged play (for example, there is no auto-spin or other retention mechanics).
Such preparation significantly reduces the risk of rejection during the individual approval of each GGL game. The Gofaizen & Sherle team will take care of preparing the complete package, from filling out CSV templates and organizing test access to supporting correspondence with the regulator and obtaining game licenses, along with the operator license.
Conclusion
Germany is a mature and predictable jurisdiction for online gambling. Uniform rules are set by GlüStV 2021, online supervision is carried out by GGL, and the offline market and online table games remain under the jurisdiction of the federal states. Licensing is divided into verticals (betting, virtual slots, poker), with mandatory integrations of LUGAS (limits/data) and OASIS (self-exclusion), and clear technical restrictions, primarily for slots.
Key advantages include a large market, a high level of trust from banks and partners, long-term German gambling licenses, and transparent compliance standards. The financial framework includes a one-time application fee, annual supervision, a security deposit, and ongoing costs for testing, auditing, and maintaining integrations. Taxes in the online sector are calculated based on the amount of bets.
Companies operating without a German online gambling license face prohibitive regulations, blocking of payment and network channels, seizure of income, and large fines, and in some cases, criminal liability. A two-stage model applies to virtual slots. In addition to the operator license, each game is approved separately. The rejection rate for games is high, so it is critical to prepare documentation in German, comply with limits, and ensure that the actual mechanics correspond exactly to the declared parameters.
Gofaizen & Sherle provides end-to-end project support — from pre-licensing analysis, corporate structuring, and compliance setup to technical integrations, dossier preparation, and communication with regulators — ensuring that clients obtain not only a gambling license but also a sustainable compliance framework for long-term operations in Germany.
FAQ about Gambling License in Germany
What authority issues gambling licenses in Germany?
Since 2023, GGL (Joint Gambling Authority, Saxony-Anhalt) has regulated the online sector, including sports betting, horse betting, virtual slots, and online poker. Online casinos remain under the jurisdiction of individual states. Offline casinos, land-based slots, and betting shops are licensed by regional authorities. Thus, the GGL license in Germany covers the online market, while the states cover offline and casinos.
What types of gambling licenses are available in Germany?
In Germany, there are different types of licenses depending on the type of gambling activity. Through GGL, operators obtain permits for online betting, virtual slots with a limit of €1 per spin, and online poker (up to four tables simultaneously). Regional authorities issue licenses for offline casinos, land-based halls, and betting shops. Online casinos with classic table games (roulette, blackjack, baccarat) are regulated at the state level. All types of licenses are based on the provisions of the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag license.
Is online gambling legal in Germany?
Online gambling has been legal in Germany since July 2021. To operate legally, operators are required to have a gambling license in Germany, integrate with the LUGAS (deposit limit of €1,000 per month) and OASIS (player self-exclusion) systems, and comply with KYC, identification, and payment verification rules
What are the main requirements for obtaining a German gambling license?
To obtain a gambling license in Germany, the applicant must be registered in the EU or EEA, have a transparent ownership structure, and have “fit & proper” management. It is necessary to confirm financial stability and develop concepts for business, marketing, AML/KYC, responsible gambling, and information security. Integration with LUGAS and OASIS, certification of all games, use of verified payment systems, and compliance with limits are also required.
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