Top-rated Online gambling sites in Germany

Germany is a country with a rich history and has a vast history of gambling as well. Gambling in Germany has been present for as long as money has been in circulation, dating back as far as the Middle Ages.

However, unlike in many other countries, gambling never took to the mainstream and was often frowned upon by German society. The number of gamblers has always been minimal in comparison to other countries because it was illegal at times as well. This is because gambling was always viewed as a morally questionable activity.

The end of World War 2

Following the end of World War 2, German infrastructure was shattered, and many new laws came into effect, one of which let states decide their own gambling legislation, while gambling itself remained illegal on a federal level.

This paved the way for the opening of sports betting shops and casinos, but gambling only took off near the beginning of the 21st century, with the advent of online betting.

The state of Schleswig-Holstein

Online casinos were considered illegal at the time, but this did not stop German citizens from betting in off-shore online casinos. The state of Schleswig-Holstein was the only state which legalized online gambling and started issuing its own license. The country had issued over 50 online casino licenses for Germans to play at, but they all expired in 2018.

The state of Schleswig-Holstein then decided to abandon its own gambling legislation and joined the other German states in abiding the IGT (Interstate Gambling Treaty). This treaty took effect in 2008 and put a ban on all forms of online betting.

The IGT was amended in 2012 to allow online sports betting and lottery, but casinos and poker were left untouched.

Legal casinos in Germany

Legal casinos, which are state-run, but still owned by private contractors, are available in Germany. In fact, there are more than 50 land casinos in the country. However, their popularity is low and diminishing as time goes on.

This is because these establishments are not like the Vegas-style casinos. They sometimes require an entry fee, have a smoking ban, are not open 24/7, and are rarely conjoined with hotels, shopping malls, or restaurants. This makes them unattractive to visit for most gambling enthusiasts in the country, and their profits are dwindling by the year.

On the other hand, online gambling has been witnessing an exponential rise in popularity, despite its technically illegal status. German bettors take their cash to off-shore online casinos, an activity that does not put them liable for criminal prosecution.

Yes, there are over 50 legal land casinos on German soil and dozens of online sports betting and lottery sites up and running.

The Baden-Baden Casino

The Baden-Baden casino is the most popular land casino in Germany with a history dating back to the 1800s when it was first opened. The casino stands out with its glamour and elegance. It also hosts a myriad of Table Games and over 130 Slot Machines.

Other popular land casinos in Germany are the Casino Duisburg, the Speilbank Hamburg, Casino Reeperbahn, and Casino Bad Wiesse, hosting over 200 Slot Machines on offer.

Partially legal gambling

As German federal law allows states to make up their own gambling legislation, gambling can be considered partially legal in the country. The other half is the topic of online gambling.

Up until very recently, in 2018, German online casinos were completely legal, as long as they held a license issued by Schleswig-Holstein. Unfortunately, the state decided not to renew these licenses upon expiry, thus joining the other states in their stance towards online casinos.

Yet, not one sentence of German legislation strictly prohibits German residents to place bets at off-shore licensed casinos, such as those licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission.

European online casinos

Many European online casinos are available in German and offer German-language customer support, as well as thousands of modern games to wager on. What’s more, gambling winnings are not yet taxable in the country, which means that Germans make up for a fair share of the overall online gambling player base.

In short, it is not illegal to place online bets as a German citizen, as long as the casino is not situated within the country itself.

Venturing into the dynamic universe of online casinos from Germany, the currency you wield becomes the compass guiding your iGaming journey. With the Euro (EUR) as your currency of choice, you set forth on an exhilarating exploration of virtual casinos. While not all platforms might immediately embrace EUR, take heart – numerous reputable casinos extend a welcoming hand with seamless currency conversion solutions. This ensures your unobstructed engagement with an eclectic array of thrilling games, unburdened by the constraints of currency barriers. Exploring our carefully curated toplist from CasinoRank unfurls a tapestry of immersive gameplay, where you can navigate with 100 Euros in online casino sites or its converted value. Grasp this pivotal juncture to initiate an enthralling iGaming odyssey, where the allure of the games and the promise of potential winnings remain vivid, whether you perceive it as €100 or simply 100 euros in online casinos. Your journey into the realm of online casinos from Germany unfurls, with the Euro lending its distinct tempo to the symphony of gaming exhilaration.

Besides games, bonuses are an important factor of equal value to the majority of gamers. Simply put, the opportunity of doubling your bankroll with fair bonus terms is too good to pass up on.

And fortunately, German online casinos boast the best and fairest promotional offers on the market, ranging from the welcome bonus to various free spins promos.

Welcome Bonuses

Just like Video Slots are the kings of the gaming department, the Welcome Bonus shares the same crown in terms of bonuses and promotions.

As a newcomer, you can always expect a welcome bonus to kickstart your bankroll by offering a 100% or even a 200% match on your first deposit.

The good thing is that German casinos feature extremely fair bonus terms that make it easy for you to make extra money out of your initial deposit.

Free Spins Bonuses

Free Spins Bonuses are increasing in popularity as time goes on. These bonuses can often be played on a single game, or a set of games – for instance, NetEnt games. Usually, bonus cash derived from Free Spins must be wagered before the withdrawal of those funds is made possible.

No Deposit Bonuses

The German player base is often targeted with No Deposit Bonuses, as this player base is highly lucrative in the eyes of casino operators.

No Deposit Bonuses are a fantastic way of enticing newcomers, as players can win some cash with no risk on their part. Keep in mind, however, that No Deposit Bonuses have strict wagering requirements and cashout limits – usually €100. Still, as far as free money is concerned, there’s hardly room for complaining.