Bet3000 forced to reimburse €12,000
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16 Jan 2026 •
Reading time: 2 minutes A German player has been awarded a refund for most of his losses after sports betting operator Bet3000 allowed deposits well above the legal limit.
An unprecedented victory for an aggrieved player
The case dates back to a series of bets placed between November 2019 and April 2022. During this period, the player lost around €16,000 on the Bet3000 website, a substantial sum consisting of bets that far exceeded the limits imposed by German law. According to the court, more than €12,000 in losses were incurred after the player exceeded the legal monthly deposit limit of €1,000.
The Bonn Regional Court ruled that funds deposited in excess of this legal limit could not be considered valid and that the resulting losses had to be reimbursed to the player. This is a strong interpretation of consumer law, which places the responsibility for compliance with the rules on the operator.
The ruling is not just an individual victory; it could profoundly change the way platforms manage their legal obligations. According to analysts, if deposits exceeding the limits result in losses, German courts could now systematically order refunds. Conversely, if these excess deposits resulted in winnings, operators could be caught between two legal risks: validating illegal transactions or refusing to pay out legitimate winnings, which would also open the door to litigation.
This decision places a very heavy compliance burden on online gaming operators. Judges are demanding robust control systems. Technical failures will no longer be considered a valid excuse.
What did Bet3000 do?
Bet3000, part of the IBA Entertainment group, allowed this customer to deposit up to €30,000 per month, 30 times the legal limit. This suggests either a system configuration error or a failure of internal controls. Failures in the application of player protection rules can result in heavy financial obligations for platforms, even if they hold a legal licence in Germany.
German gambling law: a strict framework
Germany has one of the strictest regulatory frameworks for gambling in Europe. Since the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV) came into force, all licensed operators must apply fixed monthly deposit limits, among other protective measures such as identity checks and monitoring of gambling activities.
The Bonn court has upheld the argument that violations of these limits can render gambling contracts partially void, opening the door to massive claims from affected players.
Is Bet3000 legal in Belgium?
No, Bet3000 does not have a licence from the Gaming Commission and is therefore not a legal gambling site in Belgium. However, there are many legal platforms for gambling.