Best Betting Sites in Germany

It is no secret that German residents love to bet online, as studies have shown that 60% of the population place a wager at least once a week. A few years ago, the government tried to enforce a state-run monopoly favouring the local company ODDSET. In 2010, numerous betting sites in Germany opposed this decision, both locally and internationally.

The Court of Justice for the European Union ruled in favour of the bookmakers, allowing punters to access the top betting sites online. This period of no ‘’strict’’ gambling framework only lasted until 2021.

Regarding betting in Germany, we have entered an experimental phase where bookies will require a local license to operate legally. However, the new framework has not been fully implemented, so you can still bet on international sportsbooks. Read on to get the latest laws and regulations updates, along with tips on avoiding the 5% gambling tax. Let’s get right to it.

Best Germany Betting Sites

As you might already know, you can find several sportsbooks online regardless of your country of residence. So the question remains: How to choose the best ones? Of course, checking the value of the odds and the features available is always crucial.

However, when we rank the top German betting sites, we also check if they provide local payment options like Klarna or Trustly and if the Customer Support speaks the native language. We also rate higher the bookmakers with betting tax, which is a real pickle for locals. Below, you can see a list of the top alternatives you can come across.

Online Betting in Germany: The Law Framework

Apart from a few select bookmakers in the state of Schleswig Holstein, like Bet365, no site holds a local license just yet and the market operates in a ‘’grey’’ manner. Much like in other countries, online gambling differs from high street betting, so you should know all the insides and outs perfectly. Let’s look at what applies when you want to place a bet in Germany.

Online Betting

The first question to be answered here is, ‘is betting legal in Germany’? The answer is yes. Generally, the legal age to register and play online is 18, except in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saarland, where you must be at least 21.

The State Treaty on Gaming in 2021 means that German betting sites will need a local license to provide their services to players from the country. Even Tier 1 operating licenses such as the MGA or the UKGC will not suffice. Nonetheless, due to the current transitional period.

Another interesting point can be raised around the betting tax. As a rule of thumb, players must pay a 5% 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 $9.50 ($0.50 deducted). If your wager ends up winning, instead of $30, you will receive $28.50. Nonetheless, you can still find bookmakers in Germany without the 5% tax. Sites like Bet365 and 22bet will absorb it. Others, such as 888sport, will only impose it on won wagers.

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.

Betting Shops in Germany

The land-based Germany betting landscape is much more straightforward. Apart from ODDSET, which controls a large market share, Tipico Germany is big in the region, with betting shops in Karlsruhe and Gelsenkirchen, among others.

Tipbet and Bet3000 also run land-based establishments. Αlthough, Tipbet’s online version is far superior compared to their betting shop in terms of markets and odds. Lately, the state of Hesse has started fast-forwarding the licensing process so that the first regulated bookies will be in place at the start of next year.

German Betting Apps

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 Bet365, 22bet and Powbet.

What Sports Do German Betting Sites Offer

As you might have imagined, football holds a commanding position among bookmakers in Germany. The national team never fails to impress and has a considerable following. What’s more, the domestic league, the Bundesliga, is one of the top 5 football leagues in the world, featuring top teams such as Bayern Munich, Dortmund and Leipzig.

The matches between all those teams are highly competitive, which is why we release daily Bundesliga betting predictions on all the best clashes. Lately, basketball betting has secured a higher and more dedicated following. Alba Berlin, Bayern Munich and Bamberg all feature in the top European competitions, while the national team managed to warn 3rd place in the 2022 Eurobasket.

Interestingly enough, horse racing is also very prominent. Even though the races are not so well-known as the Cheltenham Festival or the Kentucky Derby, events like the Deutsches Derby and the Preis der Diana still gather considerable gambling interest.

Secondary Sports

Of course, all the best betting sites in Germany cover dozens of niche sports. Handball is second to football in the country, especially important in states without big football clubs. Players are keen on betting on Over/Under lines since the sport comes with fast-paced action and many goals. Ice hockey, volleyball, tennis and fighting sports deserve an honourable mention.

How to Deposit on German Bookmakers

Paypal is highly favoured, although not all German betting sites support it. Bookmakers that genuinely value the local fanbase also offer newly introduced methods in the region like ApplePay, or more traditional ones like Cash2Code, MuchBetter and OnlineUberweisung.

Bank cards, e-wallets and wire transfers are readily available to anyone. It is good to note that most non-EU licensed bookies don’t offer Skrill or Neteller in Germany. All of the above are great; however, crypto payments and local transaction options make the real difference.

Crypto Payments

Cryptocurrencies have become incredibly popular due to loose regulations and relaxed restrictions. However, for crypto bookmakers, technically, Germany is off-limits for bettors. This is because cryptos are considered ‘’private assets’’ and are taxed as a separate source of income.

Note that only cryptos sold the same year that they were bought are considered taxable. Having said that, you will be glad to know that you can still access several offshore betting sites in Germany that are more than happy to accept your deposits.

Local Transaction Options

Besides all the standard payments such as VISA, Mastercard, Skrill and Neteller, you can use several other options to bet in Germany. Among the top ones are Zimpler, Klarna (Sofort), Trustly and Giropay. Let’s take a look at all the top methods individually:

⏩ Zimpler: Originating in Scandinavia, this is an instant banking method that operates in 7+ countries. You can either use it through your bank account or card. Betting with Zimpler ensures no fees and high levels of security. More importantly, it is free to use and will not require an annual fee.

⏩ 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.

⏩ Trustly: Not necessarily a local transaction option since it is accepted in multiple countries, Trustly bookmakers are preferred by millions of users due to the absence of fees and the capacity of P2P transfers. The company also collaborates with PayWithMyBank and PayPal to make international transfers as fast and secure as possible.

⏩ 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.

Established vs New German Bookmakers

New online sportsbooks are launched globally on a weekly basis. The uncertainty around the gambling regulations in the country means that players can find several opportunities to create a new account. However, the question remains: Is it better to open an account with an established bookie or go for new German betting sites instead?

The answer is 3-fold and it will ultimately depend on what you value more. Firstly, established bookmakers have the upper hand regarding safety and reliability. That’s not to say that new bookmakers should not be considered, but it is always easier to trust a site with many years of experience. Secondly, we should examine the overall betting offering and the promotions.

On average, the biggest bookies provide higher odds and a more comprehensive range of features. On the other hand, new sportsbooks look for ways to reduce the distance between them and the top players in the market. One way to do that is by offering better gamification and more promotions. Finally, we have to raise the following issue that you will need to always have in mind.

When the German market becomes fully regulated and strict, small bookmakers (with a Curacao license) will most likely have to shut down. That’s because it might be too expensive for them to obtain a license due to their inability to pay taxes.

Either that or they might not cut it in terms of reliability. In any case, do you want to risk Germany betting with a bookmaker that might have to close down in a year or two or stick with a giant like Bet365 that you know will always be around?

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. 

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 bookmakers.

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.