Safety in Online Casinos - How to Play Legally and Responsibly in Germany
Did you know that online gambling in Germany was largely illegal until just a few years ago?
Virtual casino games, slots and online betting have gained enormous popularity over the past two decades and Germany is no exception. However, anyone who engaged in such activities online was operating in a legal grey area at best and facing potential criminal prosecution at worst.
Things changed in 2021 when the German State Treaty on Gambling (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag) came into force. The new German Gambling Authority (GGL) started issuing licences to operators who could offer their products in a newly regulated legal market.
For players, this means that for the first time ever, there is a safe online gambling environment, where social responsibility and player protection are at the forefront. The very first such regulated and constantly monitored legal online casinos isBingBong. Today, of course, there are many more legal operators available.
How to recognise safe and legal gambling websites
The online gambling industry is highly competitive, and a simple search on any search engine will deliver results for both legal and illegal operators. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to identify safe and legal gambling websites among all the unregulated and potentially fraudulent operators.
The first thing to look out for is a valid GGL licence. You'll usually find the authority's logo at the bottom of a legal casino website but it's always best to double-check with the official whitelist on the GGL website. The list is constantly updated and classifies operators by their products, from lotteries and betting to slots, poker or classic casino games.
Deposit & Loss Limits for Responsible Gambling
Legal online casinos operate under a very strict regulatory framework focused on player protection and addiction prevention. All licensed operators in Germany are connected to central monitoring systems such as OASIS and LUGAS and must comply with the same binding rules.
This means that player limits are not set individually by each casino but apply across all licensed operators. Monthly deposit limits are centrally tracked and enforced, preventing players from simply starting over at a different provider once a limit has been reached.
By law, the monthly deposit limit is set at EUR1,000. Only in very rare cases, and after a successful externally conducted credit check, can this limit be increased. Therefore, this does not apply to most casual players, who, quite the opposite, are encouraged to further restrict their monthly spending limits individually.
Not only can players set individual deposit limits but also very flexible wager limits, loss limits and time limits. Any limit that has been set can only be removed or increased after a so-called cool-off period.
Gambling breaks and total self exclusion
While all these limits are centrally stored in the LUGAS system, the centrally managed OASIS system keeps track of all temporary or permanent gambling exclusions. On every legal online casino site, when a game is open, you will notice a prominent button labelled "24 Stunden Sperre" or something similar, often referred to as the "panic button".
Depending on the operator, by sliding or long-pressing this button you will immediately activate a 24-hour self-exclusion from gambling. This not only stops you from playing on the website where you activated it, but on all legal and therefore OASIS-connected websites. This type of self-exclusion ends automatically after 24 hours.
Note that there is nothing the operator or anyone else can do to shorten this period once the button has been activated. For longer self-exclusion periods you need to fill out a form issued and managed by the Regional Council Darmstadt. The customer service of your legal online casino can help you with this, too.
Tips for responsible gambling online
Legal online casinos in Germany do their part to keep players safe by offering various limits and safeguards within a clear legal framework. However, responsible gambling is not something that can be forced on players; it also needs to be understood and embraced by the players themselves.
Taking part in online gambling activities requires a certain level of maturity and self-control. It is crucial to constantly observe your own gambling behaviour and to question any emotions felt before, during or after a gambling session. Here are some important tips on how to play safely and responsibly:
- Stick with licensed operators only: They set boundaries for you and help prevent excessive losses.
- Try out individual limits: Set deposit, loss and time limits for yourself and stick to them.
- Take regular breaks from gambling: Casino games, slots or betting should not dominate your daily life.
- Do not chase losses: Consider wagered money as "spent," not "lost," and do not try to win it back. Remember, the house always wins.
- Do not gamble to make money: Gambling winnings are not income. They are based purely on luck and can never be guaranteed. Play for entertainment, not for money.
- Talk about gambling: Be open about your gambling activity with friends and family. Hiding it or lying about it can lead to unhealthy habits and behaviours.
If you ever feel that your gambling is getting out of control, do not hesitate to seek help. There are many official support networks you can access, even anonymously, via live chat or a free hotline. It is always best to get in touch early rather than too late.