In Saxony and Baden-Wuerttemberg, poker is not expressly mentioned, but will be approved when presenting an adequate gaming concept when applying for a licence, and is therefore not excluded. Poker is permitted, in most of the German states, in state-owned casinos and regulated by the Ministry/Senate of the Interior of the respective state. Before that date, the State Administration Office of Saxony-Anhalt was responsible for licensing of such games alongside virtual slot machine games. Since 1 January 2023, operators have been able to apply for a licence for online poker with the Joint Gambling Authority, based in Saxony-Anhalt. The Interstate Treaty 2021 also introduces a licencing system for online poker.

Regarding online casino games, the Interstate Treaty 2021 gives each federal state the choice of whether to impose a state monopoly or issue a very limited number of licences to private operators.īricks-and-mortar casinos are regulated under state laws, not federal law, and the Ministry/Senate of the Interior of the respective state will, in general, be the authority responsible for licensing and supervision. Since 1 January 2023, the new Joint Gambling Authority of the federal states has been responsible for the regulation and monitoring of virtual slot machine games.

The new Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (the “Interstate Treaty”), which came into force on 1 July 2021, distinguishes between “online casino games”, including roulette, blackjack and baccarat (defined as “a virtual replication of bank-holder games and live broadcasts of a terrestrial bank-holder game with the possibility of participation via the internet”), and “virtual slot machine games” (“a virtual slot machine game is a replication of land-based slot machine games offered on the internet”).įor the first time, operators may apply for a licence to offer virtual slot machine games. 1.1 Which entities regulate what type of gambling and social/skill gaming activity in your jurisdiction?Ĭasino gaming (including slots and casino table games such as roulette & blackjack)

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