What is missing most in online casinos with a German licence?

Since the introduction of the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV) in summer 2021, strict conditions and restrictions have applied to online gambling in Germany. Among other things, gambling enthusiasts must accept a minimum playing time, a maximum stake of one euro per spin, a ban on autospin and a ban on progressive jackpots. But what do players miss most in German online casinos?

Whenever online casinos with a German licence are mentioned, experience shows that it doesn't take long for dissatisfied gambling enthusiasts to speak up. Many complain that the attractiveness of the legal online gambling market has decreased significantly due to the strict player protection measures. After all, hardly any player is happy about a minimum playing time of five seconds or an autospin ban. In an article from February of this year, we therefore asked ourselves why players are active in online casinos without a licence.

What do players miss most in German online casinos?

39 gambling companies alone now have a German licence for virtual slot machines (as of 30 May 2024). The number of licensed internet platforms is now even close to three figures. As a result, the argument that there is too little variety or supply no longer applies. We have already clarified the question of which characteristics a good online casino should fulfil in another article.

Players should not miss a welcome bonus in the online casinos either. Most online casinos with a German licence also offer corresponding bonuses - usually worth up to 100 euros.

At StarGames, for example, there is a welcome bonus of up to 100 euros plus 100 free spins for every new customer.

Get to know StarGames Casino & secure your bonus now!

If the selection of providers is sufficient and there are relatively attractive bonus offers almost everywhere, what exactly do players miss in online casinos?

Players miss jackpot features, a wide selection of slots & a better RTP value

There are actually a few functions and features that an above-average number of gamblers miss in German online casinos. First and foremost, of course, is a higher payout ratio. Due to the current stake tax of 5.3% on the stake for online slots, the percentage amount that providers can pay out in the form of winnings is significantly reduced. If the tax were to be noticeably reduced, this would significantly improve the attractiveness of online casinos in one fell swoop.

What's more, many players miss the progressive jackpots. So gone are the days when German players also tried to hit a Mega Moolah jackpot of almost 20 million euros. The GlüStV clearly regulates a strict ‘jackpot ban’ in Section 22a (8).

Tip: Elsewhere on GambleJoe, we have already asked ourselves what the highest possible winnings in German online casinos are instead.

In addition, some players are bothered by the limited selection of virtual slot games. In this respect, however, it can be said that significantly more online slots have recently been authorised by the Joint Gaming Authority of the German federal states (GGL) than was the case a year or two ago. Back in December, we at GambleJoe were still asking ourselves why the gambling authority was approving so few slots.

After all, more and more federal states are now giving the green light for live games. In Bavaria, for example, online casino games such as roulette and blackjack have been available since mid-March. However, crash games such as JetX or Aviator and game shows such as Deal or No Deal or Dream Catcher are still not available in German online casinos.

At a glance: Disruptive factors in German online casinos:

• Lower RTP value due to high betting tax for slots
• Ban on progressive jackpot games and autospin ban
• Insufficient selection of slots and other games
• Minimum playing time of five seconds
• Maximum bet of one euro per spin

Conclusion

Overall, it can be said that the offer in online casinos with a German licence can now be described as attractive. Most players ‘only’ miss a better payout ratio and would like to see the annoying minimum playing time abolished. The fact is that both online casinos and the gambling authorities have developed at an impressive pace over time. After all, online casinos now score highly with attractive bonus offers, an acceptable selection of games and, of course, a safe and legal gaming environment.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/puzzle-passt-passen-fehlt-loch-693865/