The move is part of a wider effort by the GGL to inject transparency into the legal framework established by the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021), and to provide both consumers and operators with clear-cut guidance on what is—and isn’t—permitted under German law.
Cutting Through the Confusion
At the heart of the matter is the term “online casino”, which the GGL argues is being routinely misused. While the average consumer may see it as a catch-all for any digital gambling site, the legal definition refers strictly to virtual versions of classic table games—roulette, blackjack and baccarat among them.
Such games may only be offered under state-specific licences and are not subject to federal authorisation. To date, just two states—Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria—have issued a total of five licences for online casino operations.
In contrast, virtual slot games, though often branded under the same terminology, fall under a different regulatory regime. These are supervised directly by the GGL, which oversees licensing, technical compliance, and player protection measures. The regulator has made clear that any operator promoting virtual slots as “online casino” games is in breach of the law.
A Whitelist for Legitimacy
To help consumers navigate the legal landscape, the GGL has updated its official whitelist of licensed providers. Users can filter by game type, operating region and regulatory body to determine which platforms are legally authorised in Germany.
Only those listed are permitted to offer games under the strict rules laid out by GlüStV 2021, which include deposit limits, mandatory player protection mechanisms, and integration with national oversight systems like LUGAS and OASIS.
Tackling the Illegal Market Head-On
The FAQ also takes aim at the growing presence of unlicensed operators, many of whom manipulate search rankings and affiliate networks to appear legitimate. Terms like “Online Casino Germany” and “Real Money Casino” are commonly used by illegal outfits to lure users, despite being prohibited for licensed providers under current law.
The GGL confirmed it is working closely with search engines—most notably Google—to limit the visibility of these operators and has made progress in delisting non-compliant sites.
The regulator warned that illegal gambling poses serious risks: there is no guarantee of winnings, no data protection, and no accountability. Participants may also face criminal penalties under sections 284 and 285 of the German Criminal Code.
More Transparency
With its new FAQ section, the GGL is attempting to bring clarity to a sector clouded by marketing misdirection and legal complexity. As Germany continues to enforce its federated model of gambling oversight, the message is clear: if it’s not on the whitelist, it’s not legal.
More information is available at the GGL’s official portal, where the full FAQ and whitelist can be accessed.
