GGL allows stakes up to €5 on virtual slots under conditions
From 1 July 2026 until 31 December 2027, licensed operators may allow stakes above €1 per spin, up to €5, for players aged 21+ meeting conditions.
By Oliwer Brewitz, Head of Marketing
Key changes
- Default €1 per spin limit unchanged
- Up to €3 for players aged 21 and over
- €3 to €5 after 90 days without addiction indicators, with monitoring
- Temporary until 31 December 2027
What changed
The statutory maximum stake for virtual slot games is generally €1 per spin. With effect from 1 July 2026, the GGL allows a stepped increase up to €5 under specific conditions. Stakes up to €3 may be offered only to players who are at least 21. Stakes from €3 to €5 also require a 90-day qualification period with the operator without signs of addictive behaviour under § 6i(1) GlüStV 2021, plus mandatory monitoring of play behaviour comparable to that used for higher deposit limits. The deviation is temporary until 31 December 2027. Players have no right to a higher limit and operators may choose whether to offer one, following the GGL's decision guideline.
What it means for advertising
Higher stakes are restricted to players aged 21 and over who meet monitoring conditions, so promoting them to a general audience is likely to be problematic. Marketing that highlights higher stakes could reach young adults or at-risk players and should be treated with care. Messages about higher stakes are better kept within logged-in, age-verified environments than in open display or video.
What operators should do
Decide whether to offer higher stakes and, if so, implement age checks for players aged 21 and over, the 90-day qualification period and the required monitoring of play behaviour. Follow the GGL's decision guideline in the provider download area. Keep any promotion of higher stakes within age-verified environments, and plan for the end of the temporary rule on 31 December 2027.
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