Two years of legal gambling in Germany
There has been legal gambling in Germany with its own license for two years. During this period, the gambling industry in the country has changed a lot. New rules and regulations have been introduced to improve player protection and create a responsible gaming environment.
With its introduction in July 2021, the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) has had both positive and negative effects. Some aspects were seen as successful while others were criticized. The strengthening of consumer protection in online gambling is positive. Implementing measures such as lock files and limits on deposits and losses aims to better combat problem gambling and gambling addiction. This improves the protection of vulnerable players and promotes responsible gambling.
Another positive aspect of the GlüStV 2021 is the introduction of nationwide licensing for online casinos. Before the new regulation, many providers operated in a legal gray area. Now operators have the opportunity to apply for an official license and offer their services legally. This creates more transparency and security for the players.
Zero wins, no fun and players driven into illegality
Nevertheless, there are also negative aspects in connection with the GlüStV 2021. In particular, the restriction of the online offer to slot machines and poker is criticized, while other popular forms of gambling are subject to stricter regulations. Additionally, online slots are capped at $1 per spin, which reduces their appeal to licensed providers and may tempt players to seek out platforms with higher betting options.
Due to the low stakes, the reduced payout ratios and the gameplay, winnings are hardly possible with German online games. This leads to a sharp drop in interest. It is therefore not surprising that real gambling fans are looking for alternatives and switch to illegal providers.
It is unfortunate that this situation is causing players to lose their gambling enjoyment and drift into illegality. It is to be hoped that future amendments to the State Treaty on Gambling can strike a good balance between protecting players and maintaining an entertaining and attractive gaming offering.
