Law & security
Minimum age for sports betting: 18, and 21 in Bremen
In Germany you have to be 18 to bet on sports, at the betting shop and online. In Bremen, you must be 21 to enter a betting agency and bet there. In many federal states, minors are not even allowed to enter a betting shop.
The minimum age for sports betting in Germany is 18, both in person and online. In Bremen, entry and betting in a betting agency require a minimum age of 21. We check IDs and, in many federal states, have to turn minors away. Breaching youth protection can lead to closure.
What is the minimum age for sports betting in Germany?
In Germany, only people aged 18 and over may take part in sports betting. The Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) sets this out nationwide and without exception. Neither the stake nor the type of bet changes this age limit.
The minimum age of 18 covers every form of betting: single bets, accumulators, system bets, live bets and virtual sports. Even a bet of just 1 euro is off limits to minors.
On top of the GlüStV, the states set their own rules on entering bricks-and-mortar betting agencies. In many federal states, minors are not even allowed to step inside such an agency, even if they have no intention of placing a bet.
Bremen is the special case: under the Bremen Gambling Act (BremGlüG), you may only enter a betting agency there from the age of 21, and betting on site in Bremen is also only allowed from 21. If you want to visit a betting shop in Bremen, you need to be at least 21 and should carry valid photo ID.
If you want to know how a betting shop works in general and what it asks of visitors, read our article What is a betting shop?.
How is age checked at the betting shop?
Every licensed betting shop has to check its customers' age. In your Tipico betting shop, you do this by showing a valid official photo ID. We usually accept an identity card or passport, and in many cases a driving licence too.
Anyone who looks under 18 will be asked by staff to prove their age. Our staff are trained to approach people whose age isn't obvious. If you don't show ID, you can't place a bet, and you may be refused entry.
Bricks-and-mortar betting shops also rely on door checks and signage: a clearly visible notice of the minimum age has to be displayed at the entrance.
| ID type | Valid at the betting shop |
|---|---|
| Identity card (DE) | Yes, always |
| Passport (DE/EU) | Yes, always |
| Driving licence | Usually, depending on the shop |
| Expired ID | No |
| Photocopy | No |
What happens if a minor bets?
A bet placed by a minor is legally void. The stake is refunded. No winnings are paid out, because no valid contract was ever formed.
The minor usually faces no criminal consequences. The risk sits with the operators: they are liable for youth-protection breaches and can expect heavy fines and the revocation of their licence.
In serious cases, such as repeated breaches, the authority can order the betting agency to close immediately.
What youth-protection duties does the operator have at the betting shop?
The operator of a betting agency is responsible for youth protection. The measures required by law include:
- Age check: before a bet is accepted, staff must be sure the customer is at least 18.
- Entry rules: in states with the relevant rules, minors must be kept out as a matter of principle.
- Signage: notices about the minimum age and about help for gambling problems must be clearly on display.
- Staff training: staff must carry out the age check properly and be able to spot problem behaviour.
The responsible authorities of the federal states check that these duties are met in the betting shop. They can step in when they are breached. The GGL (Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States), based in Halle (Saale), grants sports betting operators their licence. You can read about the other rules that apply day to day under Betting shop opening hours and rules.
How does youth protection differ online and at the betting shop?
At the betting shop, staff check age in person. Online, technology does the job. Online betting providers have to shut out minors by verifying ID at registration and cross-checking external databases.
Both ways reach the same goal: sports betting stays limited to people aged 18 and over, and in Bremen to people aged 21 and over. The OASIS blocking system (Darmstadt Regional Council) applies equally in person and online, and on entering a betting agency a check against OASIS can take place (Section 8 of the GlüStV). Online, there is also the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros, which goes beyond the age check and forms part of the wider player-protection framework.
| Feature | Bricks-and-mortar betting shop | Online sports betting |
|---|---|---|
| Age check | Staff check ID on site | Technical verification at registration |
| Ban on entry | Physical entrance check | Account block for minors |
| OASIS connection | Mandatory for licensed providers | Mandatory for licensed providers |
| Deposit limit | Not directly applicable | 1,000 euros per month |
Our article Betting shop vs online sports betting compares the two forms of betting side by side.
More from the Knowledge section
Sources and further information: Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV), Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL), Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA): gambling addiction
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to enter a betting shop?
The minimum age for sports betting is 18. Bremen is the exception: there, entering and betting in a betting agency is only allowed from the age of 21 under the Bremen Gambling Act. In many federal states, minors are not even allowed to enter a betting agency, whether or not they want to bet. The exact rule depends on the law in each state.
Can I bet for an adult if I'm under 18 myself?
No. Only the person taking on the bet may place it. Minors cannot act on someone else's behalf. We don't accept bets from anyone under 18.
Which documents do I have to show?
At the betting shop, we ask for an official photo ID whenever your age isn't obvious. An identity card or passport is accepted everywhere. Whether a driving licence counts can vary from shop to shop. An expired ID is usually not accepted.
What does a betting shop face if it breaches youth protection?
If a breach is proven, the responsible authority can impose fines. For repeated or serious breaches, the permit to run the betting agency can be withdrawn. Betting shops on site are supervised by the responsible authorities of the federal states.
Does the minimum age also apply to live bets and virtual sports?
Yes. The minimum age of 18 applies to every form of sports betting without exception, so that includes live bets, system bets, virtual sports and accumulators. Neither the type of bet nor the size of the stake makes any difference.
