Take a look at our chart below that includes the most reputable and reliable bookmakers that currently operate on the German market. Compare their options and decide which bookie is the most suitable for you.
Leading Bookmakers in Germany
There are a number of leading bookmakers offering betting services specifically to German players. The reputation of a bookmaker can be a defining factor of consideration when comparing one against another, and in the case of those highlighted below, each has a reputation that has been built around their respective core operating principles and as such, has structured their sites, and their betting partners so as to provide the best possible betting experience. That experience is one that has led many to place each in higher regard than others that focus their energies on promotions designed to lure punters versus placing an emphasis on fulfilment in the software they may offer.
Bet365
After more than a decade of providing world-class betting services, Bet365 has emerged as a top contender in the delivery of sports betting. Known for its exemplary reputation and extensive range of betting markets, Bet365 has become synonymous with the timeless art of promotions. This not only relates to its sportsbook, and various sports in general, but Bet365’s keen awareness towards providing a cross-promotions based platform has helped propel it to a place that few others have attained.
- Pros
- Various bonuses
- cash out
- Many payment methods
- Attractive betting odds
- Professional customer care
- Mobile apps
- Cons
- Player Restrictions
- Limited payment options
Sportingbet
Sportingbet has strived since opening to become a respected and preferred sportsbook, and through its concerted efforts and awareness of market trends, has achieved that and is seen as a fixture in the world of sports betting entertainment. With a selection of highly sought after sports markets in combination with weekly promotions, Sportingbet is another that goes beyond the norm by including traditional gaming sections, all with the focus on providing a balanced destination for discerning bettors.
- Pros
- Great site for sports betting
- Great sign-up offers
- Cash out available
- Professional customer care
- Cons
- Not so many bonus offers
Betway
One of the oldest veterans in the world of sports betting, Betway has built itself around being different, in part due to offering a betting exchange in addition to is a sportsbook, bingo, poker and virtual sports. While it goes beyond that by providing other betting markets, its reputation for being an excellent rated betting site among punters speaks volumes on the quality of what it offers to those who enjoy gambling online.
- Pros
- High betting odds
- Great markets
- Excellent support
- Cool welcome offers
- Cons
- Some leagues are not included
Bwin
Found in 1997 in Austria, Bwin is extremely popular among German players. One of the reasons for that is the generous welcome bonuses and the various promotions for existing players. Bwin has proven itself as one of the leaders when it comes to innovations and useful betting features.
- Pros
- Large selection of sports bets
- High chances of winning
- Various payment methods
- Professional customer care
- Mobile apps and site version
- Cons
- Lack of bonuses for existing customers
Betano
Betano keeps getting more and more popular among European players, despite the fact that this brand is relatively new on the market. It started operating in 2016 and is ever since a fast-growing and success-driven company. The bookmaker offers its services only in the countries where it holds a license and operates legally. Luckily, Germany is one of these territories.
- Pros
- Excellent betting features
- respected brand
- Good chances
- Lots of sports bonuses
- Reliable and nice support
- Cons
- Restricted in many countries
- No live casino
Tipico
Being a native German brand, Tipico wins the hearts of the old-fashioned players, who prefer that all the in- and outcomes stay in the country. Tipico stands out among its competitors not only because of its German roots but for its extremely well-optimised betting platform. The sports betting section is exceptional, and the odds offered are hard to find.
- Pros
- Native German brand
- Favourable betting odds
- Excellent mobile apps
- Attractive welcome bonus
- Great offers for Bundesliga bets
- Cons
- No live chat option
Why Choose Online Betting in Germany
Betting in Germany is a popular past time for many, especially those who have an inherent interest in betting on sports. The same is applicable for punters who share a definite interest in other forms of gaming as land-based establishments are somewhat limited, and for those who reside in areas not easily accessible to those establishments, online betting provides an excellent opportunity to engage in online betting. However, the argument in favour of playing with the most popular bookmakers supported by access to a far greater range of gambling products, better odds and attractive signup offers.
The reality is, with the recent 2016 EU ruling overriding the State Treaty due to competition and free trade violations, visiting new betting sites in Germany became legal and allows the opportunity to claim free bets with licensed betting sites that accept players from Germany. In doing so, they are free to bet online with some of the German best bookmakers and when you factor in the lucrative bonuses and continued promotions made available by online bookmakers, it supports the position that choosing to bet online is hard to negate, if for no other reason than to maximise your access and promotional benefits.
The legal status in Germany, concerning gambling somewhat polluted due to the Federal governments State Treaty. However, while it includes explicit references towards online gambling activities, the state Schleswig-Holstein opted to legalise it, and that can, at times, lead to confusion as only those licensed by that state is legally permitted to offer betting services in the country.
The State Treaty was revised in 2015 to allow some online sportsbooks and online lotteries. That saw the state of Schleswig-Holstein agreeing to the treaty and no longer issuing state licenses. The best news to punters is that the law is only relevant to those operating domestically, and due to a ruling by the EU in 2016, Germany is unable to place restrictions on those working offshore from accepting German players, thereby making online betting legal in Germany. It could change in the future as the legislators are reportedly revamping the State Treaty. Whether that will ultimately see online betting legal is unknown, but from a financial perspective, it could be beneficial by doing so.
As a result of the recent EU ruling in 2016 that overrode Germany’s banning on all types of gambling including those offered by sportsbooks, restrictions against those within Germany by bookmakers is somewhat difficult to determine. While some sportsbooks will prevent Germans from registering, a vast majority will not, and therefore, the restrictions pertain more to individual operators and their respective licensing limitations for jurisdictions versus placing restrictive measures towards Germans in general.
It also may relate to the 2016 toleration proceedings which saw the German government issuing “toleration licenses”. These were not official licenses, but ones that would see the federal government tolerating their operating within the country. With that said, there are restrictions in place by individual software developers about licensing restrictions, and in some cases, strict operational policies whereby access will be denied if a particular style of gaming is deemed illegal in a specific country, such as games of chance are in Germany. While that in itself will not have an impact on Germans ability to place sports wagers, it could should they wish to play specific casino styled games.
Gambling Facts at a Glance
Germany is a country that has a vibrant economy and a population that educated with broad interests. This relates not only to preferred betting practises, but also in so far as to how many participate annually in some form of betting, which bodies regulate gambling as an industry, the type of products Germans have access to and, just as importantly, what kind of operators are actively promoting betting services within the country.
CurrencyThe Deutsche Mark was the recognised currency in Germany. However, it was replaced by the Euro after its entry into the Euro Union in 2002. | |
PopulationBased on the most recent population census in 2018, Germany’s population is 82.79 million. It estimated that this will decrease to 71 million by 2060 due to the birth rate, not keeping pace with the death rate. | |
Active playersIt estimated that 75.3% of Germans have participated in one form of gambling activity in their lifetime. That is broken down into several categories, with the most significant participation being sports betting, followed by poker, lotto and casino-style games. | |
Regulatory authorityThe German Gambling Supervision Authority controls gambling regulation within Germany. It governs all gambling activities within the country as well as those online. | |
Licensed gambling productsThe definition of “gambling products” relates to any game whereby real money bets placed, and the potential for loss and profit exchanged between the participant and gaming operator. In Germany, the only licensed gaming products are bingo, horse racing and lotteries. However, this area remains vague due to the EU ruling, which states the German Governments Interstate Treaty was in breach of competition and fair trade That has seen the inclusion of poker, casino games and live dealer games made available, although, these are officially unlicensed until new legislation entered into law. | |
Types of operatorsThe most significant number of operators catering to German punters are sportsbooks. However, within the structure of this, most offer multiple betting markets within their sportsbooks and generally include an online casino, poker, and virtual sports. |
How to Choose the Right Online Betting Site
How to choose the right online betting site is a question that, for those new to online betting, often face, and for many, it can be an uphill battle which can result in feelings of frustration while navigating the many operators within this genre of entertainment. However, several key factors can contribute towards reducing that, and that often lies in understanding what areas have value. Several of those include the determination as to whether a betting site offers cash out feature on active bets, live streaming of sports events, in-play betting and the ability to combine multiple bets to generate the best odds. It is also imperative to look closely at the types of promotions being presented as these often can assist in the increase of profits based on accumulator bet promotions. Collectively, the combination of those mentioned often provide an insight into the general operational mindset of a particular sportsbook, and in understanding that, it allows you to make an informed decision that is without hardship or the potential for disappointment.
Bonuses for German Players
One of the appealing factors to betting online is the ability to receive bonuses. These can cover a broad spectrum of interests, especially in sports betting. While this is an area that most sportsbooks will place a high level of importance on, designating bonuses that are specifically geared towards particular countries, in this case, Germany is not common. This is due to most sportsbooks offering promotions it has in place to all countries it operates within. This is beneficial as it permits those residing in Germany the peace of mind that utilizing a particular bonus at their disposal is without the risk of finding they are excluded from participation. This applies not only to sign up bonuses, but also those that fall under the definition of being a free betting site, or one offering a free bet upon registration.
Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Germany
Sports betting is one that generates a broad range of interests, from football to rugby, darts and handball. However, most countries often have particular sports that favour most, usually due to one being seen as a national sport or one that predominantly played more than others. In the case of Germany, the most popular by far is football, as it is in many Europe countries, but many others generate substantial interest such as motorsports, skiing and ice hockey. That said, those most predominant in the hearts of German punters is as follows:
- Football
- Golf
- Ice hockey
- Motorsports
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Handball
- Skiing
- Cycling
- Boxing
Trivia/Did you know that…
Germany is a historic nation with an interesting past, and sports betting is one of those. The most significant portion of which is sports betting and that is evident by the strong support Germans show their favourite sports teams, both locally and at a national level. That being the case, several interesting facts are worth highlighting.
- Germans spend, on average, over €14 billion annually on gambling activities. Most of this spent at land casino casinos and state lotteries.
- It estimated that Germans also spend over €4 billion gambling online with online casinos and sportsbooks.
- In 2017, there was an increase of 16.6% in the number of German players turning to online betting over that of more traditional gambling venues.
- The most popular sports to bet on in the country of Germany is the FIF World Cup. It estimated that 80% of all sports bets placed are football.
Available Mobile Apps
Venues offering online casinos and sports betting entertainment are at the forefront of mobile accessibility and many offers dedicated mobile apps that specially designed for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. In addition to dedicated mobile apps stay abreast the latest developments and enhance their mobile offering with mobile portals of their website to ensure all bases are covered, and in this case, for those who prefer not to undertake the process of downloading and installing an app. The betting experience derived from either is comparable to that of its PC version with its main notable difference is the convenience of access regardless of location. As such, many in Germany opt the various mobile methods over that of traditional a PC as it affords them the ability to place bets on their preferred games of choice, all while having equal access to promotions, banking and support features. That convenience extended to in-play betting and video streaming of live events, which previously were only accessible via PC versions of the betting site.
Supported Payment Methods
The variety of methods for funding or receipt of withdrawn monies supported in Germany are similar to many other countries. Those most common are trusted and internationally recognised for their global acceptance, ease of use and high regard for providing secure facilities that focus on rapid approval and processing and prevention of interference from outside parties. These include Visa, Mastercard, Sofort, PayPal, Neteller and Skrill. Alternate payment options include Ingenico, Santander, Paymill and Klarna.
In Germany, all winnings derived from gambling activities are taxable at a rate of 5%. That applies to offline and online gambling winnings, however, is up to the individual casino to collect the tax and forward it to the German federal tax office. Applicable tax amounts will either deducted from your winnings at point of withdrawal or in some cases a bookmaker may deduct the 5% to the total amount of your staked bet.
FAQs
Is it common for betting operators to request identity verification?
Yes. That is a standard practice that is required of operators offering betting service and falls under the licensing regulations implemented to ensure the prevention of underage gambling, but also to “know their customers”. Additional stipulations under the licensing regulations relating to proof of identity relate to funding limits, self-exclusion and other activities that are potentially harmful to those with addiction problems.
I wanted to claim a promotional bonus but was told by support that I was not qualified due to my geographical location. Why is that?
While most promotional bonuses are not specific to certain countries, at times, due to jurisdictional regulations, some countries will be excluded from participation. That, unfortunately, is beyond the control of the betting establishment as they are required, to maintain their license in good standing, to adhere to any rules governing promotions.
I noticed several websites rating specific betting sites higher than others. Can I trust these ratings, or should I use caution?
That ultimately depends on the credibility of the website you are viewing. In the case of Efirbet, extensive time and effort put into the evaluation of betting sites listed on this site. It is imperative to provide an unbiased review based on factual information and not personal preference. Therefore, our reviews and the subsequent rating goes beyond merely reviewing the appearance and betting options but extends to an in-depth analysis of every aspect so that we can be confident that the rating applied is an accurate assessment of our findings.
My wife and I both have a passion for sports betting, but our sport of choice differs. Is she able to open an account at the same bookmaker?
Unfortunately, not. Online casinos, sportsbooks, and for that matter, any reputable betting site only allow for a single account per household, individual or computer. As you and your wife reside at the same address, to prevent possible collusion and to claim multiple welcome bonuses, it is not permitted.
Why am I forced to wager a bonus a set number of times? It seems unreasonable to me.
Due to a bonus, whether it be a deemed a welcome bonus or one offered to return players, being a gift from the casino which takes the form of playable cash, the casino applies wagering terms. The point of the wagering terms is to ensure those playing are doing so without the sole intent of taking advantage of the casino through its promotional bonuses.
Is it legal for me to place wagers if I live in Germany. I have read conflicting information on this and am confused as to the legality of betting online. I do not want to break the law.
Yes, it is for the time being. While the German federal government has in place a state treaty that makes it illegal, this was deemed illegal in 2016 by the EU that it violated competition and free trade laws. In doing so, it made it legal for those in Germany to place real money wagers online without the risk of being in breach of any laws.
Final Comments
The German government seems intent on structuring its laws so as to make online betting illegal, or at least there is the appearance that this is the avenue they are drawn towards. The advantage for those who enjoy betting online is certain states within Germany favour it, and therefore, they could be a defining factor in the federal government having to concede and make adjustments. That is further supported by the EU’s position on fair trade and competition, which also could impact future legislation. Currently, the environment is such that those wishing to partake in gambling activities can do so openly without risk, and that has seen, for the time being, many betting companies that operate offshore actively and openly accepting German players. That allows for significant competition from a large number of reputable bookmakers and casino operators, which in turn means the very best in safe, licensed online entertainment options, much to the benefit of all those involved.
