Law & security
Opening a betting shop: requirements, agency licence and process
To open a betting shop you need three things: a business registration, an agency licence under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling and a contract with a licensed betting operator. Conditions, costs and deadlines vary from one federal state to the next. The relevant authority gives binding information.
To open a betting shop, you need a business registration, an agency licence under the GlüStV and a partnership with a licensed betting operator. The requirements, costs and deadlines vary by federal state and by partner.
Step by step
- Submit the business registration at the responsible trade office
- Apply for the agency licence at the gambling supervisory authority of the federal state
- Conclude a cooperation contract with a licensed betting operator
- Set up the business premises and implement the statutory conditions (youth protection, OASIS, displays)
- Open once the licence is granted and the authority has carried out a final check
Which permits do I need for a betting shop?
To run a bricks-and-mortar betting agency, you need two legal foundations: a business registration and an agency licence under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021).
The business registration with the relevant trade office is the first administrative step and confirms that you are taking up a commercial activity. On its own, though, it doesn't entitle you to broker sports betting. For that you need the agency licence, which you apply for from the relevant state authority.
You also need a partnership with a betting operator that itself holds a valid licence from the GGL (Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States). Without this licensed partner, no agency licence can be granted.
Since the requirements, application points and costs vary by federal state, get the specific details from the relevant authority, or from your state's gambling supervisory authority if you're unsure.
| Step | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business registration | Relevant trade office |
| 2 | Apply for the agency licence | State gambling supervisory authority |
| 3 | Partnership contract with a licensed operator | Betting operator with a GGL licence |
| 4 | Set up the business premises | Your own premises |
| 5 | Open once the licence is granted | After the authority's check |
How do I apply for the agency licence?
You apply for the agency licence from the gambling supervisory authority of the federal state where the betting agency will operate. Which authority is responsible depends on the location. The GGL itself licenses betting operators, not agents.
In the application, you usually have to show that:
- you, as a person or company, are personally reliable (for example, no relevant criminal record),
- a contract with a licensed betting operator is in place or firmly planned,
- the planned premises meet the space and technical requirements.
Exactly which documents you need to provide, and how long processing takes, varies by federal state and can change. If you're unsure, ask the authority directly. Since costs and deadlines aren't regulated uniformly, we don't give fixed figures here.
What premises and technical requirements apply?
A betting shop is not an ordinary retail business, and the premises have to make it possible to meet the statutory obligations. These include, among others:
- Access control: The layout and the way the shop is run must make it possible to stop minors from entering.
- Displays and notices: The minimum age for sports betting, player protection notices and the contact details of support services (for example BZgA on 0800 1372700) must be clearly on display.
- Technical infrastructure: Betting terminals and till systems must meet the operator's requirements and support the OASIS connection.
- Data protection: Customer data must be handled in line with the statutory requirements.
- No gaming machines: Gaming machines are not allowed in a betting agency. A pure sports betting agency and an amusement arcade have to stay separate.
- Separation rule and location: A betting agency generally cannot share a building with an amusement arcade or casino. Location-specific details such as minimum distances or the number of permitted terminals are set by the relevant state law and vary by federal state, sometimes by municipality.
- Single-operator principle: A betting agency may only run the betting brand of a single operator. Several brands in one shop are not allowed.
The exact technical specifications often come from the betting operator partner. Under the franchise model, the operator usually supplies these requirements. There's more on this model in the next section.
How does the franchise model work?
Many betting shop operators don't trade as independent sole traders. Instead, they run on a franchise basis with an established betting operator. As a franchisee, you provide the premises, the staff and the day-to-day organisation. The franchisor supplies the betting range, the technology, the brand and, in many cases, help with official paperwork.
The appeal of this model is that you tap into a system that is already licensed. You don't have to build your own betting platform, and you benefit from a well-known brand. The exact terms, licence fees and accounting models vary widely from one operator to the next, so there is no single answer that fits every case.
If you want to see an existing betting shop before you take things further, our map shows you a betting shop near you. To get a feel for daily life in a betting shop, read our article How does a betting shop work?.
What obligations does an operator have day to day?
Once you hold the agency licence, the real responsibility begins, because the obligations cover the whole of day-to-day operations. Fail to meet them and you risk losing the licence:
- Youth protection: always enforce the minimum age of 18 for sports betting, uphold the entry ban for minors and train your staff accordingly.
- Player protection: respond to signs of problem gambling, accept self-exclusions and display details of support services (BZgA 0800 1372700).
- OASIS connection: you must identify excluded individuals and turn them away.
- Reporting duties: certain events or changes have to be reported to the authority.
- Odds and product range: under a franchise, you usually have to follow the operator's requirements.
The precise terms appear in the licence notice and can differ by federal state and operator contract. If in doubt, check with the responsible authority. For the rules on opening hours and operation, read Betting shop opening hours and rules.
More from the Knowledge section
Sources and further information: Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL), Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV), Trade Regulation Act (GewO)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own sports betting licence as a betting shop operator?
No. As the operator of a betting shop you don't need an operator licence, you need an agency licence. The operator licence sits with the betting company you work with as a franchisee or partner. That company must hold a valid licence from the GGL.
Which authority is responsible for the agency licence?
The responsible body is the gambling supervisory authority of the federal state where you want to run the betting shop. The authority's exact name varies from state to state. The GGL grants operator licences, not agency licences. If in doubt, check directly with the state authority.
May I operate a betting outlet without a licence?
No. Running a betting shop without a valid licence is illegal in Germany. The authority can shut the business down and impose heavy fines.
Which youth protection rules apply to a betting shop?
Betting shops must check the minimum age of 18 for sports betting and refuse entry to minors, where state law provides for an entry ban. Staff must be trained accordingly. Notices showing the minimum age and player protection contacts are mandatory. Breaches can lead to the loss of the licence.
Can I open a betting shop without a franchise partner?
In theory it is possible, if you sign an individual agency agreement with a licensed operator. In practice, though, most high-street betting shops run on a franchise basis, because the operator brings the technology, the brand and often help with official paperwork. To learn what your options are, ask a licensed betting operator directly.
Can I open a Tipico betting shop?
Tipico works with franchise partners for its shops, and some run several locations. We don't publish how to become a partner or which terms apply on this website. You can only get that information directly from Tipico. In any case, every location needs a permit from the responsible state authority.
