As of 1 July 2021 a new Interstate Treaty on Gambling ("ISTG 2021") will come into force across Germany which includes new licensing possibilities for sports betting, virtual slot machines and online poker for private operators. Additionally, the new ISTG 2021 will include new rules for advertising. Alongside the ISTG 2021 the tax regime for sports betting, virtual slot machines and online poker will be changed in Germany. Licenses issued under this new regulation will be valid in all of Germany.
Licensing Conditions
ISTG 2021 allows private operators to apply for licenses to offer sports betting, virtual slot machines (online simulations of terrestrial slot machine) and online poker. Licenses will be valid for a period of five years. The regulation does not include online casino games. These are defined as virtual simulations of casino games (such as Black Jack and Roulette) and live broadcasts of a terrestrially conducted casino games with the possibility of participation via the internet. The possibility for obtaining a license for online casino games will be subject to separate laws of the individual federal states. Likely, the legislators will model the laws on the specifications for a license to operate a land-based casino.
The requirements for obtaining a license to offer online sports betting, virtual slot machines and online poker are very similar and only vary in specific topics. The main aspects of the common requirements cover the following:
- Security deposit: The applicant must provide a security deposit of at least EUR 5 million. In individual cases, this amount can be increased up to the amount of the expected monthly average turnover (maximum EUR 50 million).
- Provision of online gambling offerings: To the extent different online gambling offerings are provided via the same internet domain, the operator must provide an independent and graphically separate area for each form of gambling. The division also prohibits cross advertising. A player must not play in different areas at the same time.
- Upon registration on a website, the player must set a monthly deposit limit of a maximum of EUR 1,000.00. The limit applies per player and not per provider. This means that, generally, a player may spend EUR 1,000 per month across all gambling platforms.
- The competent authority will monitor compliance with the EUR 1,000 limit via a central “limit control data base”. Providers must pay a fee to connect to and use the limit control data base.
- With regard to online sports betting, the authorities allow more flexibility than under the current regime. Bets will be allowed on the outcome of a game as well as on events during the game or a combination of both. Also, live bets will be allowed under specific requirements.
- For virtual slot machine games there is a minimum time per game of 5 seconds and a maximum bet of EUR 1.
Additional specific rules e.g. on KYC for players, exclusion of minors and self-exclusion rules apply.
As per the end of May 2021, the technical guidelines for access to the “limit control data base”, a central “exclusion system” and the establishment of a “safe server” which allows the authority to monitor compliance have been published.
Advertising Rules
Licensed operators will be allowed to advertise their offers according to the new rules of the ISTG 2021. Only advertising that adheres to the following principles will be allowed:
- Advertising that motivates "non-players" to participate or encourages excessive gambling is prohibited.
- Advertising aimed specifically at minors or comparably vulnerable persons is prohibited.
- Misleading advertising is prohibited.
- Advertising and editorial content have to be separated.
In addition to these principles, there are additional restrictions on specific gambling services or forms of advertising:
- Advertising via telephone calls, SMS or similar messaging services is generally prohibited, unless there is an active contact by the player or there is communication within an ongoing active contractual relationship.
- Advertising addressed to an individual recipient requires the prior consent of the recipient (i) to receive the advertising as well as (ii) to the prior consultation of the exclusion system by the advertiser.
- Most lotteries and certain forms of horse betting are exempt from the aforementioned restrictions.
- Revenue share model advertising such as with affiliate links is prohibited.
- Between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., advertising for virtual slot machine games, online poker and online casino games is prohibited via broadcasting (i.e. tv/radio) or online.
- Immediately before or during the live broadcast of sports events, advertising for sports betting on this sports event is prohibited on the same broadcasting channel.
- Live coverage of sporting events must not be combined with advertising for sports betting on this sporting event. An exception is the display of live scores on the website of a betting provider.
- Furthermore, under ISTG 2021 active athletes or sports officials may no longer be used to advertise sports betting.
- General sponsorship of sports teams (e.g. on jerseys) will remain permissible.
In addition to these rules, the licensing authority may include additional requirements regarding the type and scope of advertising in the license. This approach is intended to enable individual risk-based regulation.
New Tax Regime
The new licensing regime will be accompanied by new tax provisions.
Taxation for online poker and virtual slot machines will calculated on the basis of the money bet minus the virtual slot machine tax (assessment basis). The money bet includes all expenses incurred by the player to participate in the online poker or virtual slot machine game. For online poker that also includes all participation fees and all bets that are made in the course of any game. The tax amounts to 5.3 % of the assessment basis.
Taxation for sports betting will be increased from 5 % to 5.3 % of the relevant assessment basis. Everything else stays the same.
About Taylor Wessing Gambling practice
Taylor Wessing has been advising international and domestic clients in the field of online gambling for more than a decade. Our team has extensive experience in licensing procedures, compliance and tax advice regarding gambling offers directed at the German market.
