Basics
How does a betting shop work? The process and betting slip explained
In a Tipico betting shop you place your bet in person, pay in cash or with a customer card, and collect any winnings at the counter or self-service terminal. Once you've done it once, the pattern sticks.
A betting shop is a licensed betting outlet for those aged 18 and over (21 in Bremen). You pick a sporting event, choose the bet type and stake, and get a betting slip. You collect winnings on site at the counter, or they are credited to your account.
This is how a visit to the betting shop works
- Walk in and pick an eventYou enter the shop, see the available matches on screens or posted lists and choose a sporting event.
- Slip or terminalAt the counter, you tell the staff your choice. At the self-service terminal, you enter the event, bet type and stake yourself.
- Pay in your stakeYou deposit the amount in cash or book it from your account. The minimum and maximum stakes are shown at the terminal and at the counter.
- Get your slip and keep it safeYou get a printed slip showing all the bet combinations. Keep it safe.
- Collect your winningsOnce the match is over, you hand in the winning slip at the counter. The payout is made in cash or credited to an account.
How does a visit work, from walking in to the payout?
The process in a betting shop is clearly laid out: walk in, find an event, place the bet, keep the betting slip safe and collect your winnings after the match. Only those aged 18 and over (21 in Bremen) may enter, and our staff check ages. Anyone who wishes can register for a customer card, which lets you check your balance, transactions and personal limits at any time. Depending on the amount, you can also bet without a card.
The screens in the shop show live results, current odds and upcoming fixtures. At the counter or directly at the self-service terminal, you pick the sport, match and bet type. Once you have paid, the system prints your betting slip. Keep it safe, because without the original slip you generally cannot collect any winnings.
| Step | At the counter | At the self-service terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Choose an event | Staff advise and take the bet | Select on the touchscreen |
| Pay the stake | Cash or customer card | Cash or customer card |
| Receive the slip | Printed at the counter | Printed at the terminal |
| Collect the winnings | Hand in the slip, paid in cash | Scan the slip, sometimes paid out on the spot |
Which bet types can you place at the counter and terminal?
The most common bet types in the betting outlet are the single bet, the accumulator and the system bet. With a single bet, you back one event, for example a team to win. With an accumulator, you combine several events on one slip, which raises the possible win, but every selection has to come in. System bets allow one selection to miss and are a little more complex.
You can also place live bets at the counter and terminal while the match is under way, but in the shop only on the final result and the next goal. Our guide Bet types at a glance explains how each bet type works.
Single bet
- One event, one set of odds
- Lower risk
- Smaller possible win
- Suitable as an entry for beginners
Accumulator
- Several events combined
- Odds are multiplied
- Higher possible win
- Every selection has to come in
Both bet types are available at the counter and self-service terminal.
How do the betting slip, customer card and account differ?
The betting slip is the classic paper document that confirms your bet. Without it, you cannot collect a win, so keep it safe. If you lose it, a cash payout is usually not possible. The customer card stores your bets in its own customer card profile, kept separate from any online account, so you can view your balance, limits and transaction history digitally in the shop and set your own deposit limits.
With an account, winnings are credited automatically rather than paid out in cash. This makes things easier to manage and gives you a clearer view of your betting. You can read about the card's other benefits in our guide Customer card in the betting shop.
What does a bet cost and how does the betting tax work?
The price of a bet is the stake you choose. Often a small minimum stake of one euro or a few euros is enough. You work out the possible win by multiplying the stake by the odds. Odds of 2.50 with a 10-euro stake give a payout of 25 euros. We explain how to read and understand betting odds in a separate guide.
On top of this comes the statutory betting tax of 5 percent. At Tipico it 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.
| Stake | Odds | Possible payout |
|---|---|---|
| 5 euros | 2.00 | 10 euros |
| 10 euros | 2.50 | 25 euros |
| 20 euros | 3.00 | 60 euros |
The table shows example amounts based on stake times odds to give you a sense of it. The betting tax is not included, it is calculated separately.
Which sports can I bet on at the shop?
The range at the betting outlet covers the big leagues and sports. Football is usually the main draw: the Bundesliga, the Champions League and international leagues. Alongside this, you can bet on tennis, basketball, handball, ice hockey, American football and more. The exact range depends on the shop.
Many matches run live on the screens in the shop.
Which player protection rules apply at the betting shop?
Licensed betting shops have to follow strict player protection rules. A betting agency offers the betting brand of a single operator only (the single-operator principle), and gaming machines are not allowed there. The minimum age is 18, and staff carry out age checks. On entry, an ID check against the OASIS self-exclusion register can take place. Through OASIS, run by the Darmstadt Regional Council, you can exclude yourself nationwide. The exclusion applies equally to all high-street and online betting offers from licensed providers.
You can also set deposit limits and review your betting regularly. The betting shops themselves are supervised by the responsible authorities of the federal states. Since 2023, sports betting operators have received their licence from the GGL, the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States, based in Halle an der Saale. We explain opening hours and possible closing times in our guide Betting shop opening hours. For questions about gambling addiction, you can reach the BZgA free of charge on 0800 1372700.
More from the Knowledge section
Sources and further information: GGL, Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States, Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021)
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to bet at the betting shop?
You must be at least 18 and able to show ID if staff ask for it. For a simple bet, cash is often enough. For a customer card or an account, you will need to register with your personal details.
How do I collect my winnings?
You hand the printed winning slip in at the counter. A staff member checks it and pays the amount in cash or credits it to your account. Without the original slip, a payout is generally not possible, so keep it safe.
How high is the betting tax at the betting shop?
The betting tax is 5 percent. At Tipico it 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.
Can I cancel a placed bet?
Whether you can cancel a bet depends on the timing and the terms that apply. Right after you place a bet, there is often a short window to cancel. Once the match starts, a cancellation is usually no longer possible. If in doubt, ask the staff.
What is the difference between a single bet and an accumulator?
With a single bet, you back exactly one event. With an accumulator, you combine several events on one slip. The odds are multiplied, which raises the possible win, but every selection has to come in, otherwise the slip is lost.
How does Tipico work in the shop?
At the Tipico betting shop you place your bet at the till or a self-service terminal. With the Tipico customer card you log in at the terminal with your card and PIN and bet cash-free with your balance. You collect winnings at the till. The card works in the shop that issued it and in shops run by the same franchise partner.
