GGL clarifies legal definition of online casinos in Germany
GGL has published an FAQ section addressing confusion about legal online casinos in Germany, following numerous inquiries regarding the distinction between licensed operations and illegal providers.
Key points:
– Only a few German states issue licences for online casino games; these licenses are not granted by the GGL
– The term “online casino” is often misused by illegal providers to promote virtual slots
– GGL advises checking its official whitelist to verify legal gambling operators and avoid legal or financial risks
The German Gambling Authority (GGL) has launched a detailed FAQ to clarify public misconceptions around legal online casinos in Germany.
The initiative responds to frequent inquiries regarding the definition, licensing and differences between legitimate online casino games and virtual slot machines under the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling.
According to the treaty, the term “online casino” refers specifically to virtual table games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat.
These games are particularly regulated and may only be operated with a state-level licence. The regulation of these offerings is handled not by the GGL, but by the relevant authorities in each state.
In contrast, virtual slot games – digital versions of traditional slot machines – are licensed and monitored directly by the GGL. These are commonly misrepresented online as “online casinos,” a misuse often exploited by unlicensed operators to gain visibility and customer trust.
Legal providers of virtual slots are prohibited from using the “online casino” label to prevent confusion.
Good to know: As of 26 May 2025, only the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria have issued licenses, with five legal online casino operations currently authorised
The FAQ also highlights the risks of engaging with illegal gambling sites, which may include manipulated games, lack of payout security, poor data protection and even criminal liability.
The GGL encourages consumers to verify operators through the official whitelist, which details licensed providers and their approved services.
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