How We Pick the Best Online Casinos in Germany
We use strict guidelines for German casinos, based on their unique gambling scene. We’ve ranked the best online casinos based on these rules:
1. Strong responsible gaming rules
With so many gambling regulations in the legislation, we expect casinos to be up to the task. In our books, a German licensed casino will always impose strong KYC verification measures, deposit limits and slots that respect The Interstate Treaty.
2. Actual player ratings
Players like you and me have tested out these casinos in detail and provided a rating based on their experience. If a casino is blacklisted by CasinoFreak or we deem it not to be safe, it cannot make it onto our list. Moreover, we'll most often pick a casino with at least a bronze medal.
3. Slot variety and popularity
We pick online casinos in Germany that offer thousands of slots from some of the most beloved providers, such as Merkur, Pragmatic Play, GreenTube, and more.
4. Best welcome offers
An online casino should reward new players with more than just loose change. Some offers can multiply your deposit by 400%, while others deliver real value with a match bonus of up to €100 plus hundreds of free spins. For us, the best bonuses are those that give players the greatest gain for their money.
5. Fast and reliable payments
While all online casinos in Germany will allow you to deposit and withdraw via the old reliable debit cards, you deserve fast and comfortable alternatives. To be considered the best, a casino must accept methods such as Klarna or PayPal while ensuring withdrawals are processed within 24 hours.
What You Should Expect From Online Casinos Licensed in Germany
Considering that some gambling regulations in Germany are found nowhere else in the world, I had some surprises when I started playing. Here are some essential tips for starters:
- Mandatory identification. To comply with KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) laws, a German licensed casino will ask for your full name, birth date, birth name, birth place, and current residence.
- Players must be 18 years old. To play at any casino in Germany, you'll have to prove that you are at least 18 years old via your personal identity card. In states like Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony, only players over 21 are accepted.
- Accounts need to be verified within 3 days. Did you claim a bonus offer and finally register? That’s great, but remember that you must pass the KYC verification within 3 days; otherwise, you’ll be blocked from playing games or using your funds.
- Regular updates are mandatory. The casino you’re playing at will regularly ask you to update your personal information. If the operator is not sure about the accuracy of your information within a year, your account will be blocked.
- Only slots and poker are allowed; live dealer games are prohibited. Online slots and poker are regulated nationwide, while live dealer games (virtual roulette, blackjack, and baccarat) are mostly prohibited. However, states can regulate live casino games individually. For example, Bavaria operates its own state-run platform, Spielbanken Bayern Online.
- Maximum monthly deposit of €1,000. This limit is enforced across all online casinos where you're playing. For example, depositing €200 at 5 different casinos will cause you to hit your monthly limit of €1,000. If you really want more flexibility, some exceptions can be made, as shown in GGL's explanation regarding deposit limits.
- Maximum bet of €1. Once you start a slot, you'll quickly discover that the maximum bet amount is €1. Although some of you high-rollers might be let down by this, remember, lower bets keep your spending and bankroll in check.
- Prohibited jackpots. Ever dreamed about hitting the big jackpot and happily retiring? Bad luck, since jackpots are illegal in Germany.
- Lack of the autoplay feature. That's right, you must manually click the play button for every spin of the reels. However, I believe slots are more thrilling when you're the one spinning them.
- Reels will take 5 seconds to spin. To make you more invested in each bet, the reels will spin for at least 5 seconds. From my experience, this makes the gameplay feel more meaningful.
Tips to stay safe
Illegal casinos might try to lure you in by cutting down on these restrictions. Remember, using their services is risky and illegal. CasinoFreak strongly advises playing exclusively at licensed casinos listed on GGL's white list.
What Kind of Sign-Up Bonus You Can Get
So you’ve learned everything about the specifics of Germany’s online casinos and are finally ready to claim a bonus offer at registration? Learn more about the bonuses you can get and what to expect from them!
Match Bonuses
These are bonuses you’ll most often find at Germany’s online casinos. They multiply your initial deposit, usually by 100%. For example, if you claim a 100% match bonus and deposit €50, the casino will provide another €50, meaning you now have €100 to play with.
There are also offers that match your deposit by more or less than 100%. For example, say you claim a bonus of 400% and deposit €10. You will receive €40 from the casino, meaning you now have €50 to play.
You might’ve noticed that the maximum bonus you can get is €100. This is not because casinos are stingy; the legislation does not allow sign-up bonuses to exceed this sum.
Free Spins
You can also find offers that provide free spins for a specific slot. They’ll always require a minimum deposit (usually €10) and come with a predetermined bet size.
Things like number of spins, wagering requirements, bet size, and maximum cashout will always vary, so find one that suits you.
Mixed bonuses
Sign-up offers that combine both match bonuses and free spins are the most common. Not only will your deposit be matched, but you’ll also get free spins at a specific slot without any further deposit.
What About No Deposit Bonuses and Promotions for Players?
While it’s true that no deposit sign-up bonuses are some of the most appealing, you should know that they are illegal at Germany’s licensed casinos. You can occasionally claim a no-deposit bonus after registration, although casinos are forbidden from promoting this.
So, a no-deposit bonus will always be a surprise, since you have no way of knowing beforehand if said promotion exists.
Some states, such as Saxony-Anhalt, have strict rules regarding post-registration bonuses. More precisely, these rules state that you can only get 10% of what you’ve played, but no more than €100 every 12 months.
Best Games and Providers Found in German Online Casinos
Regardless of restrictions, German licensed casinos do not lack fun games from popular providers. Let’s talk a bit more about the top choices:
Most Popular and Efficient Payment Methods for Germans
Knowing how to manage your EUR efficiently is a necessary skill when you’re playing at online casinos in Germany. I’ll go through each of the best methods, so you can pick one that fits your needs.
Klarna
Klarna is a top choice for German players. It’s a mobile banking app that is preferred for its instant deposits and lack of fees. Even more, players who want their banking data to be a tad more secure use Klarna, as it doesn’t share sensitive banking information with the operator.
PayPal
One of the most popular payment methods at online casinos worldwide, PayPal is an electronic wallet that also provides secure, free, and fast transactions. Personally, I use PayPal more often than Klarna because PayPal also allows withdrawals (at most online casinos, that is).
Skrill / Neteller
These are some e-wallets that have always existed. You just need to create an account and top up your balance. Deposits are usually processed instantly, while withdrawals might take around 24 hours. Be careful to only use EUR since Skrill and Neteller have steep conversion fees.
Debit Cards
Debit cards such as VISA, Mastercard, or Maestro have always been the most reliable payment methods. All you have to do is provide your card information, and you’re ready for instant deposits and fast withdrawals (around 24 hours).
How to Play Responsibly at Germany’s Online Casinos
In addition to strict rules, Germany has firm systems and regulations to ensure responsible gaming at all times. Since these are legally required, each licensed casino needs to have them. Here’s what you can expect at German online casinos:
One thing that surprised me the most was the reality check messages you receive after 60 minutes of gambling. Besides this message, you must take a 5-minute break every hour you gamble. Moving to a different section of the site will trigger a 1-minute break, during which you will be presented with counselling options.
You will receive a notice every 24 hours about all winnings, losses, and deposits within the last 30 days. This further ensures that you keep track of your funds and only gamble what you can afford.
- Possibility of limiting your deposits/losses
Even if the default monthly deposit limit of €1,000 is obligatory, you can also set lower daily, weekly, or monthly deposit or loss limits. If you’ve done this and want to increase your limit, you’ll have to wait 7 days for the change to take effect.
If you wish to be banned from any form of gambling in Germany, you can do so via the OASIS system. Once you self-exclude, you’ll be forbidden nationwide from any form of gambling.
Even with all these restrictions and measures in place, some players might still need help with their gambling behavior. So, a licensed casino will actively monitor your activity to make sure you are safe and gamble within your means. You can also expect regular checks about whether or not you are comfortable with the current money and time spent on gambling.
If you feel like gambling has become a problem for you, don’t hesitate to contact any of the following German organizations for free:
Germany's Gambling Laws in Depth
Germany's online casinos were initially unregulated, meaning that players had no guarantee of the quality of services. However, the first step forward was taken in 2011, via the Gaming Act of Schleswig-Holstein, which allowed online casinos to operate only within Schleswig-Holstein as long as they received a license from the state. Although this license was available for only 6 years, it could be prolonged by transactional means.
Due to indecisive politics across all other states, it wasn't until a decade later, on July 1, 2021, that The Interstate Treaty introduced a federation-wide regulatory body that could hand out licenses to operators under a very strict set of rules enforced by the Glücksspielbehörde (GGL).
Suppose you wonder why that's important to you. In that case, it should be known that players within Germany can enjoy licensed online casinos without worry since the rules and checks imposed by the GGL are some of the strictest in the world, most of them designed to protect Germany's online gamblers.
The fight continues
Even if quite a few years have passed since The Interstate Treaty was signed, GGL admits that the fight against illegal online gambling is still an issue.
Final Words
Although the online gambling scene had a bumpy start in Germany, it's now growing into a vast industry with several options. Even with the unusual amount of restrictions, the bottom line is that those are made specifically for our safety.
If you follow my advice and always prioritise safety and quality, you'll have a good time at online casinos in Germany. Prost!