German regulator adopts tiered stake system for online slots, operators welcome move

Germany's federal gambling regulator, the GGL, has replaced the previous flat €1 per spin stake limit on online slots with a tiered structure that took effect at the start of the month. The change addresses long-standing operator criticism that the uniform cap made the licensed market less appealing and drove players toward unlicensed alternatives.

Under the new rules, the €1-per-spin ceiling now applies only to players under 21. Legal-age players from 21 up can stake up to €3 per spin. Those who show no indicators of problematic gambling behavior during a 90-day monitoring window qualify for a maximum stake of €5 per spin.

Simon Priglinger-Simader, senior regulatory affairs manager at Entain and vice-president of the German Online Casino Association (DOCV), said the adjustment “sends a positive signal for the regulated gambling market in Germany.” The GGL's 2025 report estimated that 77% of all gambling activity occurs within the licensed sector, though operators have challenged that figure as too high. The regulator is currently reviewing the impact of the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling.

The DOCV is also pushing for a modernization of criminal law to combat the black market. It argues that Sections 284 of the German Criminal Code were written before the era of online gambling and are ineffective for cross-border digital offers. The association contends: “In the future, the crime scene must be at the place of residence of the players in Germany, otherwise effective prosecution will remain theoretical.”