Law & security
Is sports betting legal in Germany? GGL licence and betting shops
Yes. Sports betting is legal in Germany when the provider holds a licence under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021. Tipico holds its sports betting licence from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) in Halle (Saale). The betting shops themselves need a permit and are supervised by the responsible authorities of the federal states. You can tell a licensed shop by the permit on display, protection notices and its connection to the OASIS blocking system.
Sports betting is legal in Germany with a licensed provider. The GGL, based in Halle (Saale), grants the licences for sports betting operators nationwide, including Tipico. Every high street betting shop also needs a permit, and the shops are supervised by the responsible authorities of the federal states. Without a valid permit, a betting shop is operating illegally.
Is sports betting legal in Germany?
Yes. Sports betting is legal in Germany if you bet with a provider that holds a licence under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). Betting with unlicensed providers is not allowed and gives you no statutory protection.
Two levels of approval apply. The betting operator needs a licence from the GGL. Tipico holds such a licence for sports betting. Each betting shop that passes on bets also needs its own permit, and the shops are supervised by the responsible authorities of the federal states.
You must be 18 or over to bet on sport, and 21 in Bremen. Whether a provider is licensed can be checked in the GGL's public whitelist at gluecksspiel-behoerde.de.
What is the GGL and what does the gambling authority do?
The Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) has been the nationwide supervisory authority for gambling in Germany since 1 January 2023. It acts as the central gambling authority, is based in Halle (Saale) and is run jointly by all 16 federal states. It was set up under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021.
The GGL licenses sports betting operators nationwide and lists them in a public whitelist. An individual high street betting agency, by contrast, gets its licence at state level and is supervised by the responsible authorities of the federal states. The everyday term "licence" is common, though "permit" is more precise. The gambling authority also monitors compliance with gambling law, acts against illegal offers and ensures consistent supervision across state borders.
Before 2023, supervision and licensing sat with the individual state authorities, with standards that sometimes differed. Since then, supervision of sports betting operators has been uniform nationwide.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) |
| Seat | Halle (Saale) |
| In existence since | 1 January 2023 |
| Legal basis | Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 |
| Run by | All 16 federal states jointly |
| Core tasks | Granting licences, supervision, combating illegal offers |
What requirements must a licensed betting shop meet?
Alongside its business registration, a high street betting agency needs an agency licence under the GlüStV. This licence requires the betting shop to work with a betting operator that itself holds a valid GGL licence.
The requirements for a licensed betting shop include, among others:
- Youth protection: enforcing the minimum age of 18 for sports betting, and barring minors from entry where state law requires it.
- Player protection: a duty to point to support services, and connection to the OASIS blocking system (Darmstadt Regional Council).
- Transparency: clear labelling as a licensed offer, with the licence on display.
- Limits: compliance with statutory limits, including a cross-provider deposit limit of 1,000 euros a month (mainly online).
For how the licence application works in detail, see our guide Opening a betting shop: requirements and process.
How do I recognise a licensed betting shop?
You recognise a licensed betting shop with a valid licence by the display of the licence, transparent conditions, protection notices and the connection to OASIS. Look out for these points:
- Display of the licence: The licence certificate or a notice of it is visible in the betting shop.
- Transparent terms and conditions: Reputable providers openly disclose odds, payout arrangements and limits.
- Youth and player protection notices: mandatory display with notices on the minimum age and support services such as the BZgA hotline 0800 1372700.
- Blocking system: A licensed betting shop is connected to the OASIS blocking system.
If you are unsure whether a provider is licensed, check the public information of the gambling authority at gluecksspiel-behoerde.de. For what to expect in a betting shop in general, read our guide What is a betting shop?.
Licensed betting shop
- Permit under the GlüStV, operator with GGL licence
- Connected to the OASIS blocking system
- Youth and player protection implemented
- Transparent odds and conditions
- Supervision by the responsible state authority
Unlicensed betting shop
- No proof of a valid permit
- No connection to OASIS
- No guaranteed protection standards
- No guarantee that winnings get paid out
- Operation is illegal
What does the GGL licence do for you as a bettor?
With a GGL licence, a provider commits to fixed protection standards for you as a bettor. The licence comes with binding obligations.
One of these is the connection to the OASIS blocking system, run by the Darmstadt Regional Council, which works nationwide both in person and online. Anyone who has themselves blocked can no longer play with any connected provider, which makes it central to player protection in Germany.
Licensed providers must also point to support services, such as the BZgA's free counselling hotline on 0800 1372700. And they are bound by loss limits as well as the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros, enforced across states through the LUGAS system. For how to set limits yourself, see our guide to loss and deposit limits.
What happens if a shop breaches its licence?
If a betting shop operates without a valid licence, it is an illegal gambling offer. The responsible authorities can ban such offers and take action against the operators. That can mean fines, closure of the business and criminal consequences.
For you as a bettor, it means winnings from illegal betting shops can't be enforced in law. You have no statutory claim to a payout. You also miss out on the player-protection mechanisms, because an illegal betting shop isn't connected to OASIS or other mandatory measures.
Licensed operators can breach their conditions too. The GGL can then take action against the operator, up to revoking the licence. For a betting shop, the responsible state authority steps in. If you suspect a breach, you can report it to the responsible authority.
More from the Knowledge section
Sources and further information: Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL), Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV), OASIS blocking system, Darmstadt Regional Council
Frequently asked questions
May I bet in a betting shop without a licence?
A betting shop without a licence is running an illegal gambling offer. Winnings can't be enforced in law, and you have no statutory protection. Only bet with providers that can prove a valid licence under the GlüStV.
Where do I find a list of licensed providers?
The GGL, as the responsible gambling authority, publishes information on licensed providers on its website at gluecksspiel-behoerde.de. There you can check whether an operator holds a valid GGL licence.
What is the difference between an operator licence and an agency licence?
The betting operator designs the bets and sets the odds. It needs an operator licence from the GGL gambling authority. The agent, meaning the bricks-and-mortar betting shop, passes bets on to the operator and needs an agency licence for this, which is granted at state level.
Who checks the betting shops during day-to-day operation?
The betting shops themselves are supervised by the responsible authorities of the federal states. They can take action if there are breaches. The GGL is responsible for licensing and supervising sports betting operators.
When was the GGL founded and where is the gambling authority based?
The Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) was founded on 1 January 2023 and is based in Halle (Saale). It is run jointly by all 16 federal states and grants licences for sports betting operators active nationwide.
Is Tipico legal in Germany?
Yes. Tipico holds a licence for sports betting from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL). The Tipico betting shops need their own permits and are supervised by the responsible authorities of the federal states.
