Online casino licence cost in Germany (2026)
In Germany the GGL licenses virtual slots, online poker and sports betting nationwide; online casino table games are licensed by individual Länder. The GGL licence fee is set on expected stakes, from 0.2% up to €40 million, and virtual slots, online poker and sports betting are each taxed at 5.3% of stakes.
Figures checked against official sources on 20 October 2026
0.2% of expected stakes up to €40m (min €100), sliding scale above
Fee is charged per licence year, 10% less for each follow-on year
5.3% of stakes (virtual slots, online poker, sports betting)
Licence types
Licence for virtual slot machines (virtuelle Automatenspiele)
Online slots, nationwide licence from the GGL. Duration: 5 years on first grant, 7 years after that.
Source: GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text)
Licence for online poker
Online poker without a banker, nationwide licence from the GGL. Duration: 5 years on first grant, 7 years after that.
Source: GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text)
Licence for sports betting
Online and retail sports betting, nationwide licence from the GGL. Duration: 5 years on first grant, 7 years after that.
Concession for online casino games (Länder)
Online table games such as roulette and blackjack. Granted by individual Länder, not the GGL, with a cap on concessions per Land; Land fees are not covered on this page.
GGL fees
| Fee | Amount | Charged on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence fee, stakes up to €40m | 0.2% of stakes, min €100 | On approved or expected stakes across all Länder, calculated per licence year | GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text) |
| Licence fee, stakes €40m–65m | €80,000 + 0.16% | On approved or expected stakes across all Länder, calculated per licence year; 0.16% of stakes above €40m | GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text) |
| Licence fee, stakes €65m–130m | €120,000 + 0.1% | On approved or expected stakes across all Länder, calculated per licence year; 0.1% of stakes above €65m | GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text) |
| Licence fee, stakes over €130m | €185,000 + 0.06% | On approved or expected stakes across all Länder, calculated per licence year; 0.06% of stakes above €130m | GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text) |
| Multi-year licences | −10% per follow-on year | The fee is calculated separately for each year of a multi-year licence, reduced by 10% for each follow-on year | GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text) |
| Brokering licence | 50% of the organiser fee | Licence to broker (vermitteln) a game of chance, such as online sports betting intermediaries | GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text) |
| Supervisory orders | €500 to €500,000 | Per supervisory order, set by the administrative effort involved | GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text) |
Gaming tax
5.3%
Virtual slot machines: Stakes paid minus the tax itself (Virtuelle Automatensteuer) (from 1 July 2021).
Source: Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz, gesetze-im-internet.de
5.3%
Online poker: Stakes minus the tax itself (Online-Pokersteuer) (from 1 July 2021).
Source: Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz, gesetze-im-internet.de
5.3%
Sports betting: Stakes paid minus the tax itself (Sportwettensteuer).
Source: Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz, gesetze-im-internet.de
Requirements that affect the cost
- Local entity or representative
- The operator must have its seat in the EU or EEA. Without a seat in Germany it must appoint an authorised representative in Germany. Operators outside the EU or EEA also need a German tax representative.Source: GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text)
- Security deposit
- €5 million as an unlimited, directly enforceable bank guarantee from an EU or EEA bank. The GGL can raise it up to one month's expected average turnover, at most €50 million.Source: GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text)
How to apply: GGL: Online-Poker und virtuelle Automatenspiele
Other costs to budget for
The licence and tax are only part of a launch budget. These costs vary too much by operator to give official figures, but every plan for Germany should account for them:
- Legal and licensing advisers for the application and ongoing compliance.
- Gaming platform and game content (B2B suppliers, often certified per market).
- Testing and certification of games and systems by an approved testing lab.
- Payments, identity verification (KYC) and responsible-gambling tooling.
- Local staff or a local representative, where the regulator requires one.
- Player acquisition: media, creative and affiliate costs within the market's advertising rules.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an online casino licence cost in Germany?
GGL application fee: 0.2% of expected stakes up to €40m (min €100), sliding scale above. Annual fee: Fee is charged per licence year, 10% less for each follow-on year. Gaming tax: 5.3% of stakes (virtual slots, online poker, sports betting). Platform, legal, testing and marketing costs come on top and vary by operator.
What is the online gambling tax in Germany?
5.3% for virtual slot machines, charged on stakes paid minus the tax itself (Virtuelle Automatensteuer) (from 1 July 2021). 5.3% for online poker, charged on stakes minus the tax itself (Online-Pokersteuer) (from 1 July 2021). 5.3% for sports betting, charged on stakes paid minus the tax itself (Sportwettensteuer).
How long is a GGL licence valid?
Licence for virtual slot machines (virtuelle Automatenspiele): 5 years on first grant, 7 years after that.
Do you need a local company or representative in Germany?
The operator must have its seat in the EU or EEA. Without a seat in Germany it must appoint an authorised representative in Germany. Operators outside the EU or EEA also need a German tax representative.
Planning a launch in Germany?
Once the licence is in place, we plan and run compliant display, video and DOOH campaigns in Germany, gated on licence, market and age before every bid.
Get a media planSources
- GGL: Online-Poker und virtuelle Automatenspiele
- GGL: Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (consolidated text)
- GGL: Sport- und Pferdewetten im Internet
- GGL: FAQ for players (online casino games)
- Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz, gesetze-im-internet.de
Figures are copied from official sources as published on the date shown and may change. This page is general information for planning, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm current fees and requirements with Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder and your advisers before applying.