Guide to Sports Betting in Germany

Sports betting is a popular and legal activity in Germany, but it is also subject to complex and changing regulations. If you are interested in betting on sports events in Germany, you need to be aware of the current laws, the best betting sites, and the opportunities and challenges that await you in 2023.

Legal Framework for Sports Betting in Germany

The legal framework for sports betting in Germany is based on the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (the “Interstate Treaty”), which came into force on 1 July 2021. The Interstate Treaty aims to harmonize the gambling regulation among the 16 German states and to ensure a high level of consumer protection, prevention of gambling addiction, and protection of minors.

The Interstate Treaty only considers (online and retail) sports betting, i.e. fixed odds sports betting, on the outcome of sports events or parts of sports events (sec. 3(1) 4 of the Interstate Treaty) to be licensable. Bets on non-sports events (e.g. social/financial betting or secondary lotteries) are not permitted.

The Interstate Treaty also introduces a new licensing system for online sports betting operators, which replaces the previous experimental regime that was limited to 20 licenses and faced legal challenges. The new system is open to all operators that meet the requirements and conditions set by the Interstate Treaty and the competent gambling authority, which is the Regional Council of Darmstadt.

The Interstate Treaty also sets out various obligations and restrictions for online sports betting operators, such as:

• Providing information and self-help tools to prevent problem gambling and addiction.
• Implementing measures to verify the identity and age of customers and to prevent money laundering and fraud.
• Limiting the maximum stake per customer to €1,000 per month, which can be increased to €10,000 or €30,000 depending on the customer’s risk profile and behavior.
• Offering only one betting account per customer and prohibiting cross-selling of other gambling products (e.g. casino games or poker).
• Paying a 5.3% tax on the turnover of each bet placed by customers located in Germany.

The Interstate Treaty also allows for cooperation and information exchange between the gambling authorities of the different states, as well as with other national and international authorities and organizations.

Best Betting Sites in Germany in 2023

German sports betting fans have a wide range of options when it comes to choosing an online betting site. However, not all sites are equally reliable, safe, and attractive. Here are some of the criteria that you should consider when selecting a betting site:

• Licensing: The site should have a valid license from the Regional Council of Darmstadt or another reputable jurisdiction (e.g. Malta, UK, Gibraltar).

• Reputation: The site should have a good reputation among customers and experts, as well as a history of fair play, security, and customer service.

• Variety: The site should offer a variety of sports markets, events, and bet types, as well as competitive odds and payouts.

• Features: The site should offer features that enhance your betting experience, such as live streaming, in-play betting, cash out, bonuses, promotions, loyalty programs, etc.

• Payment methods: The site should accept payment methods that are convenient, fast, secure, and low-cost for you, such as debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, Klarna, Paysafecard, or cryptocurrencies.

Based on these criteria, here are some of the best betting sites in Germany in 2023:

• Sultanbet: A licensed and reputable site that offers a wide range of sports markets, events, and bet types, as well as live streaming, in-play betting, cash out, bonuses, promotions, loyalty programs, etc. It also accepts various payment methods, including debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal Klarna Paysafecard Cryptocurrencies and has a minimum deposit of €5.

• Zodiac Bet: A new and innovative site that offers a variety of sports markets, events and bet types as well as live streaming in-play betting cash out bonuses promotions loyalty programs etc. It also accepts various payment methods including debit cards bank transfers PayPal Klarna Paysafecard Cryptocurrencies and has a minimum deposit of €10. It is also one of the best sites for soccer betting and esports betting in Germany.

• Kwiff: A unique and exciting site that offers a chance to get your bets “kwiffed”, meaning boosted with higher odds at random. It also offers a variety of sports markets, events and bet types as well as live streaming in-play betting cash out bonuses promotions loyalty programs etc. It also accepts various payment methods including debit cards bank transfers PayPal Klarna Paysafecard Cryptocurrencies and has a minimum deposit of €5.

• WeltBet: A reliable and competitive site that offers a variety of sports markets, events and bet types as well as live streaming in-play betting cash out bonuses promotions loyalty programs etc. It also accepts various payment methods including debit cards bank transfers PayPal Klarna Paysafecard Cryptocurrencies and has a minimum deposit of €10. It is also one of the sites with the best odds in Germany.

• Rabona: A modern and user-friendly site that offers a variety of sports markets, events and bet types as well as live streaming in-play betting cash out bonuses promotions loyalty programs etc. It also accepts various payment methods including debit cards bank transfers PayPal Klarna Paysafecard Cryptocurrencies and has a minimum deposit of €10. It is also one of the sites with the best mobile app and extra features in Germany.

Opportunities and Challenges for Sports Betting in Germany in 2023

Sports betting in Germany in 2023 will offer many opportunities and challenges for both operators and customers. Some of the main factors that will influence the market are:

• The 2023 FIFA World Cup: The biggest sporting event in the world will take place in Qatar from 21 November to 18 December 2023, and will attract millions of viewers and bettors from Germany and around the world. The World Cup will offer a variety of betting opportunities, such as outrights, group winners, top scorers, match results, props, specials, etc. It will also pose some challenges, such as the different time zones, the weather conditions, the political situation, etc.

• The 2023 European Championship: The second biggest soccer tournament in Europe will take place in 13 countries from 9 June to 9 July 2023, and will feature 24 teams competing for the trophy. The European Championship will offer a variety of betting opportunities, such as outrights, group winners, top scorers, match results, props, specials, etc. It will also pose some challenges, such as the travel logistics, the COVID-19 situation, the security issues, etc.

• The growth of esports: Esports is one of the fastest-growing and most popular forms of entertainment and betting in Germany and around the world. Esports refers to competitive video gaming, where players or teams compete in various genres, such as first-person shooters, multiplayer online battle arenas, real-time strategy, fighting games, etc. Esports offers a variety of betting opportunities, such as outrights, match winners, map winners, kills, objectives, props, specials, etc. It also poses some challenges, such as the regulation, the integrity, the volatility, the complexity, etc.

Conclusion

Sports betting is a legal and popular activity in Germany that offers many opportunities and challenges for both operators and customers. The legal framework for sports betting is based on the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021, which introduces a new licensing system and various obligations and restrictions for online sports betting operators. The best betting sites in Germany are licensed, reputable, varied, feature-rich, and payment-friendly. Some of the main factors that will influence the sports betting market in Germany in 2023 are the 2023 FIFA World Cup, the 2023 European Championship, and the growth of esports.

FAQ

• Is sports betting legal in Germany?
• Yes, sports betting is legal in Germany under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021, which came into force on 1 July 2021.

• How can I bet on sports online in Germany?
• You can bet on sports online in Germany by choosing a licensed and reputable online betting site that offers a variety of sports markets, events, and bet types, as well as competitive odds and payouts.

• What are the best sports to bet on in Germany?
• The best sports to bet on in Germany depend on your personal preferences and knowledge, but some of the most popular ones are soccer, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, handball, and esports.

• What are the best betting sites in Germany?
• Some of the best betting sites in Germany are Sultanbet, Zodiac Bet, Kwiff, WeltBet, and Rabona.

• What are the main opportunities and challenges for sports betting in Germany in 2023?
• Some of the main opportunities and challenges for sports betting in Germany in 2023 are the 2023 FIFA World Cup, the 2023 European Championship, and the growth of esports.