Germany wants to take stricter action against online slots
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14 Nov 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes Germany is seriously considering tightening the rules regarding online slots. There is growing criticism of the current policy. Politicians feel it does not do enough to protect people from addiction.
Online gambling has been legal in Germany since 2021, but the implementation is not running smoothly. Many people are turning to illegal sites. These are often easier to access and more attractive.
A recent report shows that the share of the illegal market is still very large. According to recent figures, more than 80% of online gamblers even play on unlicensed platforms.
Gambling rules are too lax according to regulators
Regulators from various federal states complain that they have too little control. The rules are in place, but enforcement remains difficult. Users are also complaining. They feel insufficiently protected against advertisements and ‘fast’ slots that are addictive.
Germany now wants to look at stricter measures. Think of lower deposit limits, slower spins, and restrictions on bonus offers. That should make it more difficult to keep playing without limits.
In political Berlin, the call for action is growing louder. Some parties even want to revise the entire online offering.
The chaos, according to critics, is a consequence of the vagueness of the gambling legislation, which leaves room for abuse and confusion.
Chance of a stricter law in 2026
There is a high chance that Germany will introduce new national rules in 2026. The call for clarity is becoming too great to ignore. Experts do warn: those who make rules too strict will just push players into the arms of illegal providers.
Finding the balance between protection and freedom is difficult. But more and more politicians seem convinced: the current system is not working. And the consequences are reflected in figures, complaints, and addiction.