Is Sports Betting Legal in Germany?
Germany is one of the countries where online sports betting is completely legal. However, it wasn’t always that way.
In October 2011, the Interstate Treaty on Gambling was passed. The law permitted 20 sportsbooks to apply for online betting licenses. Unfortunately, the limit of 20 licenses along with a restrictive licensing process resulted in several major providers being denied a permit.
Several sportsbooks challenged the law and in 2016, the Court of Justice of the European Union declared that the German government could not penalize or block international sports betting sites from offering services to the people of Deutschland, even if they don’t hold a license. Basically, if you’re in Germany, you can sign up at most online gambling sites unless they have specific country restrictions.
The German Online Betting Landscape
Germany is one of those few countries where players can legally bet on sports both online and in live casinos. Football is easily the most popular sport to bet in Germany. Whether players are betting on the German national team or their favorite teams in the Bundesliga or the EPL, you’ll always find odds and lines to wager on.
It’s no surprise that the bulk of bets made by Germans are on football. And let’s not forget that the German national team is a FIFA World Cup and Confederations Cup champion. However, football isn’t the only sport available to German bettors. You have the option to gamble on cricket, basketball, Aussie Rules football, hockey and a variety of international sports like the NBA, NFL, MMA, NHL and esports.
You can always find UFC fight analysis and action on individual games with the most up-to-date odds at German betting sites, and can choose from a wide variety of betting types:
Spread Bet
A spread bet gives you the chance to wager how much a team will win or lose by. Let’s say Real Madrid is playing Wolfsburg; the spread might be set at -2.5 for Madrid and +2.5 for Wolfsburg. If you were to bet on Madrid, you need them to win by three or more goals, otherwise they won’t cover the spread. A bet on Wolfsburg would need the team to win outright or not lose by more than two goals.
Moneyline
Betting on the moneyline lets you pick a Sportsbook straight up. If Borussia Dortmund is squaring off against FC Schalke, a moneyline bet would require you to select the Sportsbook of the matchup. If you choose Borussia, they would need to win the game. If you choose Schalke, they would need to be victorious for your bet to hit. You can also bet if the game will end in a draw. Some sportsbooks do not offer odds for a draw and will refund your bet should the match end in a tie.
Totals
Also known as OVER/UNDER bets, these are wagers where you predict if the total goals in a match will go OVER or UNDER the oddsmaker’s set number. For example, a Champions League game between Hoffenheim and Man City may have the total set at 2.5. You would need to bet if the total number of goals will be OVER 2.5 (three or more) or UNDER 2.5 (two or less).
Props
Prop betting involves player and team milestones such as who will be the PFA Players’ Player of the Year or which teams will qualify for the next World Cup. Because there’s such a variety of props, they don’t always impact the result of a given game.
Parlays
Parlays are bets that allow you to combine two or more wagers on one ticket. For instance, you can bet the spread for a matchup between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt while also betting on the moneyline.
Furthermore, look for live streaming odds to make live bets and futures lines like how many wins will Germany have in round-robin play during the next FIFA World Cup or which NFL team will win the Super Bowl.
Speaking of betting lines, the sportsbooks we recommend give you the option to switch between decimal, fractional or American odds.
How to Sign up at a Sports Betting Site
We recommend the sites listed above because they are trustworthy and have stellar reputations. Moreover, these online betting sites make it easy to sign up and create your betting profile. All you need is your name, email address and deposit option.
You have options at your fingertips when it comes to funding your account. Credit cards or PayPal are popular choices for German bettors, with many betting sites accepting MasterCard, Visa and e-wallets. Skrill and Neteller are also widely available. Additionally, German-facing betting websites will accept eKonto, Sofort, ClickandBuy, Visa Electron, Maestro/Girocard and Click2Pay.
Many sportsbooks will require you to deposit and cash out using the same account, especially sites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Also, make sure you take time to verify your identity, otherwise you will experience delays in having your withdrawals processed.
Special Features and Bonuses
The online Sportsbooks we recommend have incentives to keep their customers happy. Some will refund your stake and entire bet after a PUSH, whereas other books will keep your stake but refund the rest of the bet. Another special feature to look out for is a deposit bonus. This will be a welcome offer that matches your initial deposit up to a certain amount. Some online betting sites will ensure that you receive a free bet instead of a bonus – either way, you’re getting a special offer.
When you create your sports betting profile after you sign up at the sportsbook, take advantage of your free bet or bonus offer right away.
Mobile Betting Options
We basically live on our phones, and as such, gambling sites of all types are forced to offer mobile betting options. The best betting sites are those that have mobile-optimized websites. These are websites that allow access via the web browser on your phone.
Phone-optimized sites operate the same for Android and iPhone users with little restriction. You will be able to fund your account, apply for a free bet or bonus offer, place bets, check out odds for your favorite sports and do everything you would usually do on your laptop or desktop. Some betting sites even have their own app that you can use.
One advantage to betting on your phone – whether you use Android or Apple products – is that many sites offer special deals for mobile users. Check the “Promotions” section of your sportsbook of choice for more information on a free bet if you use your phone to wager.
Online Casino Games
Some betting sites that cater to German players offer a casino games option. Choose from a variety of casino games like slot machines, roulette, baccarat and blackjack. Besides slots and table games, online poker players can take advantage of poker rooms and video poker. Therefore, if you ever need a reprieve from betting on football, tennis, basketball and horse racing, we recommend sites that have their own casino.
Do German Bettors Have to Pay Taxes on Their Winnings?
Since 2012, German sports bettors are subject to a five percent tax on all bets. In other words, for every 100 € bet, 5 € will be deducted in taxes. This is on top of the vig – the sportsbook’s cut from each bet – and can quickly add up. However, certain German-facing sportsbooks will pay the tax amount on any losing bets. Some will deduct the five percent on all winning bets. Others will cover the entire tax or at least cover a small percentage of it so you’re not paying the full five percent.
All sportsbooks are different but the majority of the ones that are well-regarded in the sports betting industry do waive the tax to ensure that German bettors can play without worrying about bankroll deductions.
Although our parents wish we were accountants, we are not. Please check with your tax consultant for more information about taxation policies regarding online sports betting.
Finding the Right Sports Betting Site for You
Here at Odds Shark, we’re not saying you have to bet only at the German-facing Sportsbooks we endorse, but there’s a reason we support these sites over others: reputation. Using a betting website that we do not recommend can result in you losing more than your bets – you can lose your money too. Stick with sportsbooks like the ones on our list and you’re in good Hände.