Top German Online Casinos

Recent news for online gambling & casinos in Germany

What’s recently happening in the online gambling industry in Germany?

Things you should know about online casinos in Germany!

Safety and legislation

Unfortunately, the gambling situation in Germany is more akin to Sweden than the UK. Online gambling in Germany is still technically illegal and there isn’t even a regulatory framework within which online casinos can be included and issued proper licenses. Up until 2008 the law said nothing about online gambling, however, all sixteen states soon approved the Interstate Treaty on Gambling which effectively banned all forms of online gambling besides sports betting and horce racing which are provided by state-owned operators. A minor exception is the state of Schleswig-Holstein which in 2012 chose to opt-out and even changed it laws in order to accommodate a few dozen operators, including 888 and PokerStars. Even though its unorthodox move was reversed only a year later – following a change in political leadership – all the companies that have earned a license from the state are able to provide online gambling on the territory of the state until 2018 (six-year period). However, besides the websites available only in Schleswig-Holstein, there are no other legal German gambling websites that are regulated or in any way connected with the government. Further complications arise due to the fact that there is no uniting framework of law for all of Germany and players from all the sixteen states are subject to different restrictions.

Check out our infographic about the German gambling market:

German gamblers are left with the option of playing in foreign websites due to loopholes in the law that are unclear about online gambling provided by foreign private entities. Even though the European Union has criticized the German approach towards gambling, there hasn’t been much of a reaction from the 16 states. The European Court of Justice even came out with a rulling in 2010 that states that the gambling industry in Germany is monopolised. We can only hope that the German government follows the example of Sweden and takes the proper steps in integrating this huge sector of the economy into its legislation.

Until then, we advise players in Germany, as we did players of Sweden, to visit and bet only on European websites that are licensed by the relevant authorities in their countries – for UK online casinos it is the UK Gambling Commission and for Malta it is the Malta Gaming Authority. Always search for a license on the casinos website before deciding to put in money for betting! This way you may enjoy gambling without risking involvement in illegal operations, as well as have the safety ensured by the proper institutions charged with the oversight of online gambling.

For players that are just getting started the best casino in our view is GOWILD. It is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and has an impeccable reputation among the gaming community. It is audited by the independent testing agency eCogra with a listed RTP for every game on its website. Diverse payment methods, including e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller are supported. It also welcomes poker starters with the courage to play high stakes with a 1000 euro High-roller bonus.

Another two very attractive options are Casino.com and Mansion Casino. They are also both licensed and regulated by trustworthy gambling regulators in the EU such as the UKGC and the government of Gibraltar. Their websites are available in German and there are bonuses of up to 100 per cent for first deposits.

Customer Support

Customer support is highly valued by both reviewers and players in the online casino business. Among the most crucial things to point out is our requirement that customer support be available around the clock 24/7. We also consider it an advantage if there are a variety of channels for communication like email, phone calls and live chat. Live chat is perhaps the most preferred channel for communication by UK players. German players should definitely take notice whether the online casino provides customer support in German.

Withdrawal time and wagering requirements

No player should have to wait for a withdrawal for more than 24 hours, or two days at the most. Anything that goes beyond this is excessive and not typical at all for a legitimate online casino.

Even though bonuses and promotions may be very attractive for newbie players – it should be noted here that in almost all cases bonuses go hand in hand with a “wagering requirements.” Such a provision requires a player to wager a certain amount (say 20 times the initial deposit) before being eligible for withdrawal of his funds. Usually online casinos choose not to disclose on the front of their website such conditions so players should always go through the terms of the casino thoroughly in order not to be unpleasantly surprised when ready to cash-out their winnings.

Games in online casinos in Germany

For those with a penchant for slots – in the online casinos recommended above players will find many options that will satisfy their gambling needs. Among the choices available are jackpot slots, video slots and classic games. There is of course Blackjack, as well as different variants of the game. Other games that make up the wide range of options include Roullette, Baccarat, Bingo, Keno and Video poker.

Online casinos providing services in Germany also offer live casino games which are much preferred by today’s players. We recommend players give them a look. Furthermore, a good balance of gaming options backs up both the online casinos legitimacy and adds to its prestige – that is why it’s a big factor when assessing an online casinos worth.

New & Upcoming online casinos to operate in Germany

List of our most recently reviewed casinos that will have a license to operate in Germany. Some of them might not be available for free play yet.