Best Betting Sites in Germany

Germany’s rich sports history is combined with a dominant gambling scene of over 5.4 million players. A whopping 84.05% of them are betting primarily on online sites and 50% opt for international platforms which pose no restrictions.

Under the latest regulation of 2021, live betting and selected markets are restricted on locally licensed sites, something that severely limits any serious bettor. On the other hand, offshore bookmakers cater to a global audience, meaning a plethora of markets with competitive odds and a rich live betting section is a must.

In this guide you will find the best betting sites in Germany, a complete overview of the regulation with tax insights, along with the latest sports trends in betting. Here are the top 3 brands for German players.

Going through our bookmaker comparison, we can quickly see how international bookies differ in all categories from DE-licensed brands. In the following list, you can find the top sites for German players, accessible without restrictions or betting limitations. Here’s the full list.

Which Are The Best German Betting Sites?

How We Rate The Best Sports Betting Sites in Germany

Given the challenges that local online bookies oppose, our attention when searching for alternatives is focused on 6 key factors that elevate the game of German players and give you every tool needed to win. This is what we are paying attention to when looking for the best sports betting sites in Germany.

Localization

The first thing we check is how friendly a sportsbook is for native bettors. German is a must have language, as it is the second most used in Europe. Every part of the interface should be flawlessly translated, while a German speaking customer support is a plus. Lastly, payments in Euro and unique offers for Bundesliga as well as local leagues get extra points in our rating.

Markets

Having a plethora of markets is essential for correct selections when betting. You will find more than 400+ markets for Bundesliga and all the major European leagues on our chosen sites. We also make sure top competitions like the NBA, Euroleague and HBL and or Champions Hockey League have enough options.

Live Betting

This is another must have. Given that Live Betting is not part of DE licensed bookies, we only consider sites that allow in-play wagering and have all the accompanying features. This is another area, where markets play a significant role, and you’re expected to find over 200 markets on Live events.

Features

Live Streaming, Cash Out, Bet Builder are the cornerstones of betting. We make sure all bookmakers on our list come with these and plenty more features such as Auto Cash Out, Multiple Live Feeds or In Game Stats. These allow for a smooth pre-match and in-play session and widen your betting capabilities.

Payments

Credit cards, Paypal or Sofort and Giropay, it’s your choice. The top betting sites in Germany feature all the aforementioned methods and allow you to deposit and withdraw instantly without the €1,000 limit. On top of that, we test all methods and report accurate transaction times, so you don’t have to find the hard way.

Terms

Finally, we never choose a site without fair terms and conditions. We ensure that all bookmakers have no hidden surprises in the fine print, and will give you a smooth session. KYC, responsible gambling and bonus terms are the top areas we check for red flags and include in our reviews.

What You Need To Know About Online Betting in Germany

Although gambling in ‘The People’s Land’ has been going on for decades, it definitely doesn’t come easy for its people. From 2012 and until 2021, online betting in Germany was at its prime since it operated in a ‘grey’ area.

This gave more opportunities to players and bookies, but that period only lasted until the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag (or ISTG) was passed in 2021 to finally regulate and clamp down on online gambling for good. Let’s take a closer look at the facts.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Germany?

By now you’re probably wondering, ‘is gambling legal in Germany?’ and the answer is yes. The ISTG made online sportsbooks and casinos legal in 2021 for all operators who obtain a local license. In 2022, GGL became the sole regulator. Players must be at least 18 years old with the exception of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saarland where it rises to 21.

Do I Have To Pay Taxes On My Winnings?

Another interesting point can be raised around the betting tax. As a rule of thumb, players must pay a 5,3% tax on all stakes rather than the winnings. So, for example, if you place a €10 bet on 3.00 odds, your actual stake will be €9.47 (€0.53 deducted).

If your wager ends up winning, instead of €30, you will receive €28.41. Nonetheless, you can still find bookmakers in Germany without the 5,3% tax. Sites like 22bet will absorb it. Others, will only impose it on won wagers or lower the payout.

What Are The Limitations of Local Betting Sites in Germany?

The ISTG is very strict when it comes to betting and imposes a series of restrictions to any sportsbook that decides to obtain a local license. In DE licensed bookmakers you won’t find any live betting option, as it’s prohibited from the regulation, and betting markets will be significantly less. Every sportsbook can only offer from a list of selected markets, which is far from the ideal scenario for any serious bettor.

On top of that deposits are limited to €1,000 per month, in an effort to minimize money laundering schemes and propose a safer gambling environment. It doesn’t take much to understand that local sites are not worth the hassle.

Can You Use Betting Apps in Germany?

Even though land-based shops exist today, all the fuss is about playing on your smartphone. Gambling on the go has gained a lot of popularity, which has resulted in the development of mobile betting apps.

Bookmakers transfer the product to a designated application and add a few extra perks. Regarding betting in Germany, you can find multiple sportsbooks with Android and iOS apps. Among the best ones, we have 22bet.

Can I Access Online Betting Sites Outside The Country?

Joining international sportsbooks doesn’t have any implications for bettors. The regulators would rather penalize the brands operating in the country, which means you can join the best sports betting sites in Germany freely. If you are looking for legit sites to join, these are our most recommended bookmakers:

Betting Exchange in Germany

This is an excellent alternative for those who do not like wagering against the house. Online betting exchanges allow you to compete against other players by charging a small commission. Unfortunately, at this moment, two of the biggest exchange sites, Betfair and Matchbook, do not welcome German bettors.

In addition, due to the limited liquidity, Betwinner and 1xbet elected to close down their exchange section. For that reason, we recommend choosing one of the best betting sites in Germany from our list above and waiting for one, or more, of the biggest exchanges to acquire a local license and open their gates once again.

What Are The Latest Trends On Sports Betting in Germany?

Doubling from €6.14 billion in revenue in 2016, to €13.7 billion in 2023, online betting has grown on German gamblers. Without the hassle of visiting the nearest shop and more features such as Cash Out or Bet Builder sports betting in Germany is now easier than ever. In the following section, we will cover the hottest sports you can find in the country along with key markets and features.

Football Betting in Germany

No surprise here, Football is the king of German sports. Bundesliga, the national competition, is among the top 5 leagues in the world. Known for historic teams such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Leipzig, locals have a strong passion for football and this is evident in the hundreds of markets you will find for Bundesliga on German bookies.

More specifically, Player Specials, tens of Corners and Team Stats along with classics such as WDW, Goals Over/Under, Half Time Bets and Combos, are only some of the markets you will find on our selected sportsbooks. Add a feature-stacked live betting session and all your needs are covered in one go.

Handball Betting in Germany

Having its origins in Germany and Denmark, Handball is the second favourite sport in the country, with a rich, winning history. Handball Bundesliga (HBL) is the biggest competition in the country with 18 teams. Fuchse Berlin and SC Magdeburg also make their appearance in EHF, the European Handball Champions League, as the top 2 teams in the HBL standings.

If you want to try your luck on HBL or EHF, the top online bookmakers in Germany have you covered with up over 20 markets per match. Totals, Handicaps Half Time and Team bets with multiple selections are available for Handball bettors.

Hockey Betting in Germany

Popular in the northern part of the country, Hockey is another one that makes the lists of Germany’s favourite sports. The two biggest leagues are the national DEL and the European-wide Champions Hockey League, where 3 teams (Berlin, Straubing and Bremerhaven) represent the DEL.

Both competitions along, with secondary divisions, are covered fully by German bookmakers. You can add markets like WDW, Totals, Team and Period Specials to your betslips or get into the action with minute-specific bets for a higher adrenaline session.

Basketball Betting in Germany

Finally, Basketball doesn’t go unnoticed by Deutsch sports betting fans. Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) has traditionally been an exciting competition and a factory of top teams. Arguably more popular than BBL though, is Euroleague which hosted its 2024 Finals at Mercedes Benz Arena, home of Alba Berlin. Besides Alba, Bayern Munich also competes in Euroleague.

Basketball is among the top 5 most in-demand sports in online sportsbooks, where you can bet on hundreds of Player Props, Team Stats and Combo Bets, among others. Livestreaming and stats feed will help you follow your favourite BBL, Euroleague, NBA, Eurocup or Champions league match and make bank.

How To Bet Online in Germany - Step By Step

If you want to bet from Germany, setting up an account with an international bookmaker is the way to go. Below, you can find all the steps needed to get started in just a couple of minutes.

• 1
  Find A Bookie: This is the rather easy part of the process. Check our dedicated list of German sportsbooks and find which one suits you best. The options range from traditional bookies to crypto sites, all stacked with the latest features and sporting events you need. Feel free to sort by Bonus value, if finding a banger offer is your thing.
• 2
  Signup: Next, click our link to take you to the official site and register. The process is often similar across betting sites and requires you to enter your Name, Email and Password. Once set up, check your inbox and verify your email to not miss out on any juicy offers. Remember, our bookies don’t share your information with the authorities as local sites do.
• 3
  Deposit: Log back into your account and click the big Deposit button. Here you can choose between many familiar payment methods such as VISA, Paypal or Klarna. There are over 20 payment options to choose from, so depositing and withdrawing won’t be a problem even for the most niche bettors.
• 4
  Get Bonuses: During your deposit, remember to activate your Welcome Bonus. These offers are a great way to boost your starting balance, since you can match your deposit up to 250% or gain extra Free Bets, Rakeback and other rewards.
• 5
  Start Playing: Now it’s your time to shine. Go down the sports or live section and start wagering on your favourite teams. In case you need a little boost or ideas, our Bundesliga betting predictions are available from our tipsters to grow your winning bags.

Which are the Best Payment Methods for German Bettors?

The rise of online gambling has made operators up their game. To fully cater to their local fanbase, bookmakers accept Paypal, Apple Pay, Klarna and other popular payment methods besides the classic VISA or bank transfers. There are countless alternatives available, so let’s dive in and see what you can expect.

⏩ VISA / Mastercard: The good ol’ card transactions are not a thing of the past. In fact, Visa betting sites are still thriving as they cross the bridge between generations of bettors. VISA / Mastercard is the simplest way to top up your account and widely available in all major online sportsbooks.

⏩ Paypal: First alternative method in the likes of German bettors is Paypal. According to recent studies it is used in 81% of online transactions as it allows seamless transactions with the added security. Paypal betting sites are a great option if you want to keep your banking information discrete bet on the go.

⏩Klarna: Initially known as Sofort, Klarna is a transaction method you will most likely come across on all German betting sites. Klarna betting sites offer lightning-speed transactions and safety. Besides the euro, you can deposit in multiple other currencies. Unlike e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller, you can always use Klarna to unlock the Welcome Bonus.

⏩ Giropay: This is a payment method that is exclusive to players from Germany, boasting more than 45 million users. Therefore, Giropay bookmakers can easily be found and are an excellent alternative. All transactions are instant, while most local banks support it, which adds to the security factor.

Additional Tax for Betting Related Payments

From March 1, 2024 onwards all card payments connected to gambling, whether that is online betting sites, casinos or lotteries, will have an additional 3% fee or a minimum of €3 per transaction.

Effectively, this means every time you deposit or withdraw money from a German betting site, an extra €3 or 3% will be charged. This is a serious hit for recreational players without big budgets as it severely hinders their bankroll and winnings. There are alternatives though.

Can I Bet With Crypto?

The recent rise of cryptocurrencies has created more opportunities for German bettors. While you won’t find Bitcoin or other tokens on your local betting shops, offshore crypto bookmakers will accept your deposits without any fees (besides network) or additional bank statements, while offering top notch odds and all the markets you need.

It is worth noting that cryptos are considered ‘private assets’ and their trade is a taxable event, meaning that buying and selling should be reported with your financial statements at the end of the year.

How To Deposit More than €1,000?

Currently, the monthly limit of €1,000 per month cannot be overridden in German bookmakers. If you would like to bet more than that, you’d have to create multiple accounts which makes it easier for the state & banks to monitor you and slow your game.

On the other hand, new bookmakers that operate internationally, allow you to deposit up to 6 figures in one go and withdraw any amount without additional fees or hiccups.

Betting in Germany: What Does the Future Hold

Although the current situation might work to the bettors’ benefit, we remain uncertain about the lawmakers’ motives. Indeed, having many options among strictly regulated bookmakers is positive. However, we have to look closely at why this has happened. Although the legal structure seems rigid, things are looking more positive for international German betting sites.

Consequently, the new legislation that will allow foreign operators to obtain gambling licenses is not only uncertain to be ratified by the Bundestag but will also limit the number of gaming halls inside the country. In our opinion, Germany should look up to Britain’s example and try to intervene only when the players’ safety is at stake.

Gambling Regulations in Neighbouring Countries

⏩ Austria: Each of the nine states in the country has its own variations when it comes to gambling. However, the new Regulatory Authority is bound to create a specific set of laws that all must follow. As of right now, winnings are not taxed, but players must pay a 2% fee for every wager they place on Austrian betting sites. 

⏩ Switzerland: Even though there is a monopoly in the country, run by Swisslos, the online gambling scene is pretty flexible. Users are relatively free to sign up and play on an increasing number of international Swiss betting sites with minimal supervision.