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Online betting is legal in Germany, but with it comes the burden of the 5% betting tax. According to the enforced law, since 1st July 2012, all sports bets made by residents in the Federal Republic of Germany will be subject to a 5% taxation based on the Race Betting and Lottery Act. Some bookmakers take it upon themselves, while others charge players with it. What gives you an edge as a bettor is knowing where the tax applies, namely on the stake, the gross profit or the net winnings. Below you will find everything you need to know about the German betting tax and all the bookmakers that don’t charge it.
“Wettsteuer Deutschland” - How the German betting tax works
There are various betting tax models you need to know in order to make sure you get maximum profit. But, first things first. What does the betting tax mean for punters exactly? In layman’s terms it means that instead of odds 2.00, you’re going for 1.95 because of the tax. Or to put it another way, if you want to place €100 sports bets, after the betting tax deduction, you only have €95 available.
Let’s clarify something at this point. The fact that the German betting tax exists, doesn’t mean all bookmakers pay it. Some non-EU-licensed bookmakers might not be paying the tax at all. Players, in that case, do not have any obligation against the state to declare their winnings. Punters should also know that the legal entity that has to pay the tax, in this case, is the bookmaker and not the bettor.
So, let’s look at the ways different bookies tackle the issue of the betting tax:
👉Tax on every bet you place (stake)
You are taxed 5% on each one of your bets and this is displayed on your betslip immediately. This applies even in the case that your bet is void. This is actually the worst case for all German punters, as you lose 5% of your stake, even if the match was cancelled. For example, if you bet €100 on odds of 2.00, the bookie takes 5% out of your bet, so you’re left with €95, so your gross profit in case you win is €190.
👉 Tax on gross profit
That’s the model most German bookmakers have adopted. In simple terms, the 5% betting tax applies only if you win, not on lost bets. For example, you bet €100 on odds of 2.00, and the bookmaker takes nothing out of that bet. You end up winning with a profit of €200. The bookie deducts 5%, namely €10, leaving you with a €190 profit. The 5% fee is deducted on won bets only, while on the "tax on stake" model the fee is also applied on lost bets.
👉 Tax on net winnings (net profit)
Apart from the aforementioned tax on gross profit, there is another model that many German bookmakers have adopted. This is the tax on net winnings. In simple terms, the 5% betting tax applies only to your net profit. For example, you bet €100 on odds of 2.00, and you end up winning with a net profit of €100. The bookie deducts 5%, namely €5, leaving you eventually with a €95 net profit.
👉 The bookmaker absorbs the tax
This is the best-case scenario. It’s pretty self-explanatory, as the bookmaker assumes all of the tax and you are charged with nothing. In other words, you bet €100 again on odds of 2.00, and if you win your profit is €200. Below we will point you to all the “ wettanbieter ohne wettsteuer” as is known in German.
Gambling products & bet types the 5% betting tax applies to
According to the German legislation, since 1st July 2012, a 5% tax is applied to all sports bets, both online and offline. Horse betting is also in the list of gambling products the tax applies, although not all online betting sites offer it. Due to the lack of a casino licensing system in place (with the exception of Schleswig-Holstein), profits from online casinos do not have to be declared, thus no tax applies there. However, casino operators pay 18% VAT. The Race Betting and Lottery Act defines the regulatory framework on bet taxes in Germany. When it comes to betting types the tax applies to, German punters should know that single bets are usually taxed including free bet winnings and cashed out bets, while combos and systems are often not.
🎁 “Wettanbieter ohne wettsteuer” - No tax bookmakers in Germany
It’s only natural that German bookies not burdening their players with the 5% tax are very popular in the region, especially compared to the ones that do charge the tax. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular bookies.
➡️ Betfair does not apply tax for German punters. Bookie handles the tax on their own and is also available to all German punters.
➡️ William Hill is another bookie that doesn’t take over the 5% tax to their players. It’s only natural that such a well-known brand that places great interest in the German market, absorbs the tax.
➡️ When it comes to betting tax, Tipwin is taking it all on them. This goes only for online bets though. Tipwin also has a large nationwide network of betting shops. So, for all those betting offline in cash with Tipwin, they have to pay the tax.
Not all bookmakers cover the tax on all bets. Some will only take the tax on them for certain bet types. Neo.bet, for example, will not burden bettors with a fee for systems and accumulators. The same bookie deducts the tax from your profit for singles though.
List of bookmakers without betting tax
| Bookmaker | Year Est. | Welcome Bonus | Review | Visit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
7.8/10
7.8/10
9.0/10
8.9/10
8.9/10
9.0/10
6.0/10
8.9/10
8.3/10
7.3/10
8.5/10
5.0/10
|
2017 | €122 | Review | Visit site |
 |
8.3/10
8.3/10
9.4/10
9.4/10
9.0/10
9.4/10
8.2/10
9.4/10
9.0/10
8.9/10
9.3/10
4.9/10
|
2011 | €130 exclusive |
Review | Visit site |
 |
7.6/10
7.6/10
8.7/10
8.4/10
8.2/10
8.9/10
6.0/10
8.8/10
8.0/10
7.3/10
8.5/10
4.8/10
|
2018 | €100 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.9/10
7.9/10
8.1/10
8.5/10
7.8/10
7.9/10
7.5/10
8.3/10
8.5/10
8.1/10
8.2/10
6.5/10
|
2018 | €200 + €15 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.4/10
7.4/10
7.3/10
7.5/10
7.3/10
6.6/10
7.0/10
7.9/10
7.3/10
7.4/10
8.2/10
6.7/10
|
2018 | €130 exclusive |
Review | Visit site |
 |
7.9/10
7.9/10
8.1/10
8.5/10
7.8/10
7.9/10
7.5/10
8.3/10
8.5/10
8.1/10
8.2/10
6.7/10
|
2018 | €200 + €15 exclusive |
Review | Visit site |
 |
7.9/10
7.9/10
7.4/10
7.7/10
6.8/10
8.4/10
6.0/10
7.9/10
8.4/10
7.5/10
8.2/10
8.5/10
|
2010 | €100 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.5/10
7.5/10
7.7/10
7.5/10
7.3/10
7.5/10
6.6/10
8.7/10
7.7/10
7.6/10
7.5/10
6.5/10
|
2012 | €500 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.6/10
7.6/10
8.2/10
7.5/10
7.3/10
7.6/10
8.3/10
8.6/10
8.0/10
8.0/10
8.3/10
6.0/10
|
2018 | €100 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.9/10
7.9/10
7.6/10
7.8/10
7.7/10
7.5/10
8.3/10
8.0/10
8.1/10
7.8/10
8.6/10
7.5/10
|
2014 | €100 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.0/10
7.0/10
7.3/10
7.5/10
6.5/10
7.0/10
7.2/10
7.4/10
7.4/10
7.5/10
7.0/10
6.1/10
|
2019 | €350 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.6/10
7.6/10
7.4/10
7.5/10
7.2/10
7.7/10
8.0/10
8.5/10
7.7/10
8.0/10
7.5/10
6.7/10
|
2019 | €200 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.7/10
7.7/10
7.7/10
8.5/10
7.2/10
8.0/10
8.1/10
8.6/10
7.7/10
8.0/10
7.7/10
6.1/10
|
2018 | €200 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.3/10
7.3/10
7.5/10
7.5/10
7.5/10
7.5/10
7.1/10
7.7/10
7.5/10
6.9/10
7.4/10
6.8/10
|
2012 | €130 | Review | Visit site |
 |
9.3/10
9.3/10
8.3/10
10.0/10
9.0/10
8.5/10
8.0/10
9.0/10
9.2/10
9.0/10
9.0/10
9.8/10
|
1999 | €100 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.9/10
7.9/10
8.7/10
8.3/10
8.0/10
8.1/10
8.1/10
8.0/10
7.7/10
8.0/10
8.2/10
6.9/10
|
2018 | €100 | Review | Visit site |
 |
8.6/10
8.6/10
9.1/10
8.2/10
8.9/10
9.1/10
8.6/10
8.2/10
8.8/10
8.8/10
8.4/10
8.8/10
|
1934 | €100 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.9/10
7.9/10
8.3/10
7.9/10
8.0/10
8.2/10
6.4/10
8.9/10
7.9/10
7.6/10
7.4/10
7.6/10
|
2010 | €100 + €10 Freebet exclusive |
Review | Visit site |
 |
7.5/10
7.5/10
7.5/10
6.8/10
7.0/10
7.3/10
8.2/10
7.9/10
8.0/10
6.8/10
7.8/10
7.6/10
|
2005 | €100 | Review | Visit site |
 |
7.5/10
7.5/10
7.0/10
7.8/10
7.2/10
7.8/10
7.4/10
8.2/10
7.7/10
7.7/10
7.0/10
6.7/10
|
1999 | $1,000 | Review | Visit site |
German bookmakers that charge tax
Not all German bookies take care of the tax themselves. Actually, most pass it over to bettors. Here are some of the biggest German betting sites that charge punters with the 5% fee.
➡️ If you bet with Bwin from Germany, then you should be aware that the bookie deducts the tax from your gross profit in case you win. Make sure to check their T&Cs section A2.2.
➡️ Bet365 is another huge bookmaker that decided to not take any extra financial burden on their shoulders and passed on the 5% tax to the players instead.
➡️ As stated in their T&Cs, Interwetten charges players with the German tax, with the exception of any profits made from cash-outs. For this reason, they only allow bets of 1.10 on singles. If you want to bet with lower odds you have to go with combos or systems.
Full list of bookmakers with betting tax:
| Bookmaker | Tax_deducted_from | Special Terms |
|---|---|---|
| 888sport | Gross Profit
Special Terms: If the bet wins, 5% of the winning will be withheld from the bet.
|
If the bet wins, 5% of the winning will be withheld from the bet. |
| Bet365 | Gross Profit
Special Terms: Betting tax 5% is calculated on gross profit. The bonus is offered tax-free.
|
Betting tax 5% is calculated on gross profit. The bonus is offered tax-free. |
| Bet-at-home | Stake
Special Terms: Automatic deduction of 5% on the bet is made.
|
Automatic deduction of 5% on the bet is made. |
| Bethard | Gross Profit
Special Terms: All bets placed by players residing in Germany will be subject to a 5% tax deducted from bets won. The amount will be deducted after settlement and only applies to won bets.
|
All bets placed by players residing in Germany will be subject to a 5% tax deducted from bets won. The amount will be deducted after settlement and only applies to won bets. |
| Betolimp | Gross Profit
Special Terms: Players residing in Germany will be subject to a retrospective correction of the odds on their won bets amounting to 5% of the gross profit.
|
Players residing in Germany will be subject to a retrospective correction of the odds on their won bets amounting to 5% of the gross profit. |
| Betstars | Net Profit
Special Terms: When a German resident wins a bet their settlement for that bet will be adapted afterwards by reducing five percent (5%) of the winning amount (retroactive reduction of odds).
|
When a German resident wins a bet, their settlement for that bet will be adapted afterwards by reducing five per cent (5%) of the winning amount (retroactive reduction of odds). |
| Betway | Gross Profit
Special Terms: All winnings of won sports bets placed by customers residing in Germany will be charged a 5% discount. The odds discount also applies from winnings that have been placed using a free bet (the fee only applies to the actual win).
|
All winnings of won sports bets placed by customers residing in Germany will be charged a 5% discount. The odds discount also applies from winnings that have been placed using a free bet (the fee only applies to the actual win). |
| BetVictor | Net Profit
Special Terms: A five percent deduction (5%) of the total payout will be made by Betvictor on all winnings in sports betting bets in order to contribute to that tax. The deduction for lost sports bets will be completely taken over by BetVictor.
|
A five percent deduction (5%) of the total payout will be made by Betvictor on all winnings in sports betting bets in order to contribute to that tax. The deduction for lost sports bets will be completely taken over by BetVictor. |
| Bwin | Gross Profit
Special Terms: For this tax, users are involved in won bets in the form of a tax contribution, which is deducted from their profit. This contribution is 5% on the gross profit (use multiplied by the odds)
|
For this tax, the users are involved in won bets in the form of a tax contribution, which is deducted from their profit. This contribution is 5% on the gross profit (use multiplied by the odds) |
| ComeOn | Gross Profit
Special Terms: Winnings on bets made by persons residing in Germany are subject to a deduction of 5% of the total profit (consequent odds deduction).
|
Winnings on bets made by persons residing in Germany are subject to a deduction of 5% of the total profit (consequent odds deduction). |
| Expekt | Gross Profit
Special Terms: Expekt will retain 5% of all winnings (stakes multiplied by odds). The selected odds for single bets must be at least 1.10. Expekt will take on the betting tax for combos with at least three selections and min odds 1.40 per selection.
|
Expekt will retain 5% of all winnings (stakes multiplied by odds). The selected odds for single bets must be at least 1.10. Expekt will take on the betting tax for combos with at least three selections and min odds 1.40 per selection. |
| Interwetten | Gross Profit
Special Terms: Interwetten charges a 5% discount on bets. Also, it is not possible to place singles bets below 1.10. Tips with lower odds must be played as combined or system, where tax does not apply.
|
Interwetten charges a 5% discount on bets. Also, it is not possible to place singles bets below 1.10. Tips with lower odds must be played as combined or system, where tax does not apply. |
| Karamba | Gross Profit
Special Terms: Users are involved in won bets in the form of a tax contribution which is 5% of the wager and is deducted from their profit.
|
Users are involved in won bets in the form of a tax contribution which is 5% of the wager and is deducted from their profit. |
| LeoVegas | Gross Profit
Special Terms: WoS applied a 5% odds deduction and therefore the betting profits will be reduced by 5%. WoS does not accept bets if the total odds are less than 1.06.
|
LeoVegas applied a 5% odds deduction and therefore the betting profits will be reduced by 5%. LeoVegas does not accept bets if the total odds are less than 1.06. |
| Neo.bet | Gross Profit
Special Terms: Neo.bet will apply a 5% on all gross winnings. Tax is applied on combo and system bets.
|
Neo.bet will apply a 5% on all gross winnings. Tax is applied on combo and system bets. |
| Spin Sports | Gross Profit
Special Terms: All bets placed will, due to the additional tax burden incurred by sports betting taxed, be subject to a 5% odds adjustment. The 5% deduction will also apply to winning returns on bets placed using the free bets (winnings only) and cashed out bets.
|
All bets placed will, due to the additional tax burden incurred by sports betting taxed, be subject to a 5% odds adjustment. The 5% deduction will also apply to winning returns on bets placed using the free bets (winnings only) and cashed out bets. |
| Sportingbet | Gross Profit
Special Terms: For this tax, the users are involved in won bets in a form of a tax contribution, which is deducted from their profit. This contribution is 5% of the gross profit (use multiplied by the odds).
|
For this tax, the users are involved in won bets in a form of a tax contribution, which is deducted from their profit. This contribution is 5% of the gross profit (use multiplied by the odds). |
| Unibet | Gross Profit
Special Terms: Unibet will withhold 5% of your potential profits when making a withdrawal. Also, the brand does not accept bets if the total odds are 1.06 or below.
|
Unibet will withhold 5% of your potential profits when making a withdrawal. Also, the brand does not accept bets if the total odds are 1.06 or below. |
Q: Are no tax German bookmakers less trustworthy?
Not at all. It’s just a matter of how the bookie decides to handle the tax issue. Betfair, for example, is a major brand on a worldwide level and yet they charge no tax.
Q: Can I avoid paying the tax altogether?
No, you can’t. If the bookmaker doesn’t pay the tax themselves, then you have to do that yourself. What you can do though, is choose any no tax bookmaker from our list, so that you won’t have to bother with that expense.
Q: Does the tax have an effect on the odds?
Theoretically speaking, it should have an effect on the odds, as it’s only an additional fee. However, we have noticed that bookmakers that don’t charge the betting tax often offer slightly lower odds, probably to cover for the additional cost they have.
Q: Do I have to pay the tax myself?
For any bookies that do charge the tax, you pay it yourself. However, it’s not difficult as it’s either automatically deducted from your stake or your winnings.
Q: Do Germans leaving in Austria and Switzerland have to pay tax?
No betting tax exists in Austria, unlike Germany. As a result, Germans residing in Austria comply with the rules of that country. In Switzerland though, the law states that only if your annual profit from sports bets goes over 1,000 francs do you have to declare it, and thus pay tax.
