Technology & equipment
Self-service terminal at the betting shop: how the betting machine works
At the self-service terminal in a Tipico betting shop you place sports bets yourself by touchscreen, pay in cash and check your winnings. You usually don't need a customer card for this. Each federal state decides whether and which terminals are allowed.
At the self-service terminal you choose the sport and bet type by touchscreen, pay in cash and get a betting slip. A customer card makes things easier, but is often not required. You collect winnings at the terminal or at the counter.
How to use the self-service terminal, step by step
- Activate the touchscreenTap the screen. The terminal shows you an overview of the available sports and current events.
- Choose sport and eventFirst choose the sport, then the specific match or event you want to bet on.
- Choose bet type and oddsTap the bet you fancy, for example home win, draw or away win. The odds are shown straight away.
- Enter stake and feed in cashEnter the stake you want. Then pay it in cash through the banknote reader or use the balance on your customer card.
- Collect your betting slipThe terminal prints your betting slip. Keep it safe, because you cannot get a payout without it.
What can I do at the self-service terminal in the betting shop?
At the self-service terminal you use the same core functions as at the counter, just without the wait. You place bets on sports such as football, tennis, basketball or handball, check the current status of your slip and often query or even collect winnings directly. Many terminals also offer live bets. In the shop, though, live bets are only allowed on the final result and the next goal.
Each federal state decides whether betting terminals are allowed. Some states allow them only in the betting agency, others ban them there too. The range of functions also depends on the model. If it's your first visit, ask at the counter what the device can do.
| Function | Available at the self-service terminal |
|---|---|
| Placing single bets | Yes, as standard |
| Placing accumulators | Yes, as standard |
| Live bets | On many newer models |
| Checking slip status | Yes, by barcode or slip number |
| Paying out winnings directly | Sometimes, depending on the model |
| Using customer card balance | Yes, where the customer card is supported |
What payment options are there at the betting terminal?
Cash is the most common way to pay at the self-service terminal. You feed notes into the banknote reader, and the terminal gives any change back as a voucher or in coins. If you have a customer card with credit loaded onto it, you can pay with that too. Paying by debit or credit card is rarer, but you'll find it on some newer terminal models.
Our guide to the cash deposit at the betting shop shows you exactly how paying in cash works. At Tipico, the 5 percent betting tax is not included in the odds but calculated separately. How it is shown on your betting slip is set out in the terms of participation and on the slip itself.
Self-service terminal
- No waiting, operate directly
- Touchscreen, self-explanatory
- Usually cash or customer card
- Slip printed immediately
Counter
- Personal advice possible
- Even complex bets easy to explain
- All payment options available
- Waiting time when busy
The terminal and the counter complement each other in the shop. Many visitors use both, depending on the situation.
Self-service terminal or counter: what's the difference?
The counter is the staffed point of contact in the betting shop, and the self-service terminal is the quick alternative. At the counter, often called the desk, our staff help you pick a bet, take your bets and pay out winnings. The terminal is for anyone who knows the ropes or wants to place a bet quickly. Both ways lead to the same thing: a valid betting slip.
For more complex bets such as system bets, the counter is often easier, because the staff can talk you through everything. For an overview, see our guide Bet types at a glance. If you know your way around, the terminal saves you the wait.
What should I do if the self-service terminal has a fault?
If the terminal freezes, doesn't print your slip, or takes your money without placing the bet, speak to the staff straight away. Have the time and the amount you paid in ready. The staff check on the back end whether a transaction went through.
If you report the fault straight away, the staff can trace the transaction and sort out the case. Stay at the terminal until the staff have dealt with it.
How do I collect winnings at the self-service terminal?
Many terminals let you check your winnings or even pay them out directly from the slip. You hold your betting slip up to the barcode reader or type in the slip number. The terminal tells you whether your slip has won and how much. Direct cash payouts at the betting machine are not possible everywhere.
Larger winnings are often paid out at the counter. Either way, you must keep your slip, because without the original a payout is generally not possible. Our guide collecting winnings at the betting shop shows you how the payout works. You must be at least 18 to enter and use the terminal, and the staff may carry out an age check.
More from the Knowledge section
Sources and further information: GGL: Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a customer card to use the self-service terminal?
In most cases, no. You can often place a bet at the terminal and pay in cash without a customer card. The customer card makes things easier and lets you check your balance, but is often not required for using the self-service terminal.
Can I place live bets at the self-service terminal?
Live betting at the self-service terminal depends on the terminal model. Many newer terminals offer live bets, but in the shop only on the final result and the next goal. To find out whether the terminal at your shop supports live bets, check the home screen or ask the staff.
What happens if the terminal crashes and my money is retained?
Speak to the staff straight away and tell them what happened, including the time and the amount. The staff check the transaction on the back end and sort out the case. Don't leave the area until the matter is sorted.
Is there a minimum deposit at the self-service terminal?
Yes, most terminals have a minimum stake. It's typically one euro or a few euros, but it can vary depending on the model and bet type. The terminal shows you the exact amount as you enter your bet.
How does a self-service terminal differ from a betting machine?
The terms are often used to mean the same thing. The German "SB" stands for Selbstbedienung, meaning self-service, and betting machine is the everyday word for it. Either way, it means the touchscreen machine in the betting shop where you place bets yourself.
