Germany has taken a big step in regulating its online gaming industry by issuing its first licenses for commercial live casino operators. On September 18, Tipico, BluBet, Cashpoint, and Skill on Net received approval to offer online casino games. This move is part of the country’s effort to create a safer gambling environment and curb the use of unregulated sites, as highlighted by Schleswig-Holstein’s interior minister, Sabine Sütterlin-Waack.
These newly licensed operators are now allowed to provide games like slots and poker under the supervision of Germany’s federal gambling regulator, the Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). Established in July 2022, the GGL replaced the Saxony-Anhalt State Administration Office and now oversees online gambling regulation in the country. However, each of Germany’s 16 states still has the authority to issue licenses for online table games. This is part of the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüNeuRStv), which came into effect on July 1, 2021.
Industry insiders see this as a positive development. Christian Heins, iGaming director at Tipico, expressed excitement about the new license, especially as it was granted in his home state of Schleswig-Holstein. He noted that Tipico plans to collaborate with table game providers to expand their casino offerings.
The Austrian gambling trade association, OVWG, also praised Germany’s new licensing framework. They believe it creates a safe, regulated environment for players, which could be an example for other German states to follow. However, challenges remain, particularly with the country’s black market, which has grown due to regulatory delays and restrictions on advertising. The GGL estimates that about 4% of the sector’s gross gaming revenue comes from the black market, though some experts think the number could be as high as 20%.
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