🎰 Gambling addiction
In brief
Since the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV, in force since 1 July 2021), uniform nationwide protection instruments apply to online casinos, virtual slot games, online poker, sports betting as well as arcades and casinos: the cross-provider player exclusion system OASIS, a monthly deposit limit of in principle €1,000 across all providers, and advertising restrictions.
Anyone who has themselves excluded (minimum 3 months) or is excluded by a provider (exclusion by a third party, minimum 1 year) may no longer play with any participating provider. Whether losses from online gambling offered illegally before 2021 can be recovered has not yet been conclusively settled by the highest courts.
Step by step
- Seek helpBIÖG information line on gambling addiction (0800 1 37 27 00, free of charge) or check-dein-spiel.de for a first self-assessment.
- Arrange an exclusionApply for self-exclusion via OASIS (at the Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt or directly with the provider) – applies across providers and forms of gambling.
- Use deposit limitsThe statutory deposit limit of €1,000/month applies automatically across providers; lower individual limits can be set in addition.
- For losses from online gambling before 2021: have it checked legallyRecovery is possible, but clarification by the Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice) is still pending – get legal advice.
Deadlines
- OASIS is operated by the Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt, not by the GGL (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, joint gambling authority of the federal states) – these two bodies are often confused.
- At the editorial deadline of this page (16 September 2026), the Bundesgerichtshof had NOT yet ruled on the merits on the recovery of online casino losses from before 2021; in the lead-case procedure I ZR 216/25, the oral hearing was only scheduled for 17 September 2026. This information may be overtaken at short notice by the hearing.
- The BZgA has been called "Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit" (BIÖG) since February 2025 – older brochures still use the old name.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 and OASIS
The GlüStV 2021 regulates, among other things, the nationwide, cross-provider player exclusion system OASIS (§ 8c GlüStV) for arcades, casinos, online casinos, virtual slot games, online poker and sports betting, a cross-provider monthly deposit limit of in principle €1,000, as well as a player account requirement and advertising restrictions. OASIS is operated by the Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt – this responsibility already existed before the GlüStV 2021 and remained there unchanged, not with the newly created GGL. The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL, seat in Halle/Saale) was created by the GlüStV 2021 and started operating on 1 January 2023; it is responsible for supervision and licences, not for the exclusion database itself.
Prevalence
According to the Glücksspielsurvey 2023 (ISD Hamburg/University of Bremen, N=12,308), 6.9 % of respondents showed risky gambling participation; the Glücksspielatlas 2023 puts the number at around 1.3 million people with a gambling-related disorder and a further around 3.25 million with risky gambling behaviour. A Glücksspielsurvey 2025 had already been published at the time of research but was not analysed in detail.
Recovery of online gambling losses – as of 16 September 2026
The legal basis of many claims is that contracts with providers without a valid German licence before 1 July 2021 were void under § 134 BGB, so that losses can be recovered under § 812 BGB. By judgment of 16 April 2026 (Case C-440/23), the CJEU decided that the former German ban on online casinos until 1 July 2021 was compatible with EU law and that recovery claims do not constitute an abuse of rights. As of 16 September 2026, the Bundesgerichtshof has not yet ruled on the merits on online casino recovery claims; one case (I ZR 88/23) ended through withdrawal of the appeal on points of law without a judgment, another (I ZR 90/23, sports betting) led to a referral to the CJEU in 2024. The BGH has declared case I ZR 216/25 a lead-case procedure; the oral hearing was scheduled for 17 September 2026. Until a BGH decision, lower courts mostly follow the CJEU line, which is favourable to players.
Counselling
Free telephone counselling on gambling addiction, available round the clock: 0800 1 37 27 00 (BIÖG, formerly BZgA); online self-test and counselling via check-dein-spiel.de; in addition, local specialist services for gambling addiction at the addiction advice centres.
Uncertain/in flux
The outcome of the BGH lead-case procedure I ZR 216/25 was still pending as of this page (hearing 17 September 2026); this page should be updated after a BGH decision. Figures more recent than the Glücksspielsurvey 2023 should also be cross-checked before use.
A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.