Online Gambling in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 2025

Top Rated Online Casinos by Category

Athema’s Expert Guide to the Best Online Casinos in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Explore our top picks for reputable online casinos, carefully vetted through our extensive testing process. Focusing on players from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, this guide highlights each casino's outstanding features, game variety, and security standards to help you find the best place for your online gaming needs.

WinShark Casino

WinShark Casino, launched in 2024, is among the fresh casino sites, owned by GALA MEDIA Limited. With a Curacao license, this platform offers a secure and multilingual experience in over 10 languages. The casino welcomes new players with a generous bonus spread across their first three deposits.

With a diverse library of games powered by 135+ leading developers, WinShark ensures a top-notch gaming experience, from slot games to live casino games. Plus, among all online casinos in Germany, this one features a solid mobile casino app.

20Bet Casino

20Bet Casino offers a collection of over 5,000 games, including slot games, table games, and a solid live casino section. New players get a 100% match bonus up to €120 plus 120 free spins on Elvis Frog in Vegas slot game. It’s licensed by the Curacao Gaming Authority, ensuring a safe and regulated experience. You can choose to deposit or withdraw with over 15 payment methods.

Glitch Spin Casino

Glitch Spin Casino, launched in 2024, is among the new online casinos in Germany. While it doesn’t feature online sports betting, it covers slots, live games, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and bingo. The casino is operated by GBL Solutions N.V. and brings plenty of promotions, including a 30% reload boost up to €250, weekly 10% cashback, and a mega welcome package.

The platform supports over 15 payment options, including credit and debit cards, e-wallets like Skrill, and popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Deposits are instant, and withdrawals typically take 1–2 days. For security, Glitch Spin Casino uses SSL encryption and operates under a Curacao license.

How we choose the best online casino Europe: key features to consider

When selecting the best German online casinos, we focus on key features that ensure a secure, enjoyable, and fair gaming experience. These factors help us narrow down the options and provide you with reliable choices.

• Licensing & Security: A valid license from trusted authorities, like the MGA, Curacao, or GGL for Germany, is crucial. It means the casino is legally regulated and follows strict security protocols. We also look for SSL encryption, which protects your data, and check for responsible gambling policies and fair gaming certifications to ensure a safe environment.
• Game Selection & Software Providers: The best German casinos offer a wide range of games, from online slot games and table games to live dealer games and progressive jackpots. We check if the casino works with top software providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, and Evolution Gaming to ensure high-quality gameplay in the most popular casino games like online poker and others.
• Bonus Offers & Wagering Requirements: Attractive casino bonuses are a huge part of online gaming. We evaluate welcome bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, free spins, deposit bonuses, and loyalty programs, but we focus on fair terms. Low wagering requirements (around 30x or less) and clear bonus policies are key indicators of a player-friendly casino that doesn't trap you in difficult conditions.
• Payment Methods & Fast Payouts: German players value trusted payment options like Sofort, Klarna, Trustly, and Bitcoin. We check if deposits are instant, withdrawals are fast, and if there are minimal transaction fees. Reliable payment methods are of the essence for any casino that accept German players.
• Mobile Compatibility: Since many players enjoy gaming on their phones, we look at how well a casino works on iOS and Android devices. Whether through a responsive mobile site or a dedicated mobile casino app, it’s important that the platform provides smooth navigation. Plus, German casinos focus on providing easy access to favorite casino games.
• Customer Support & User Experience: Reliable customer support is a must, and we check if the casino offers 24/7 assistance through live chat, email, or phone, preferably in German. We also look at how user-friendly casino sites are, including easy navigation, clear terms and conditions, and a responsive design for a pleasant browsing experience.
• Responsible Gambling & Fair Play: Top German casinos prioritize responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and reality checks. We also make sure the games are certified for fairness with RNG (Random Number Generator) and transparent RTP (Return to Player) rates, ensuring players get a fair shot at winning.

The Legal Landscape of German online casinos

Germany’s online gambling landscape has seen significant changes since the Fourth Interstate Treaty on Gambling was enacted in 2021. This treaty licensed online casinos, poker, and sports betting under a strict licensing system, marking a major shift in the country’s approach to online gambling, which was previously heavily restricted. Today, German players can legally access a variety of internet gambling sites, including sports betting, poker tournaments, online casino games, and state-run lotteries, both online and offline.

To offer gambling services in Germany, operators must secure a license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), the national gambling regulator. This process is open to both local and international operators, but the requirements are tough. German casino sites must meet strict standards for player protection, and transparency in financial transactions, and adhere to online gambling regulations on advertising.

However, while online gambling is now legal, the regulatory environment is still cautious, especially when it comes to popular online casino games. These games are often regulated at the state level, and states may choose to operate them under a monopoly or issue a limited number of licenses. Licenses for Germany online casinos are capped and can’t exceed the number held by land-based casinos, which limits the availability of licensed operators in the country.

As for taxation, most gambling winnings in Germany are not taxed. However, players should be aware that winnings from sports betting may be subject to tax in certain cases. If you're not considering German casinos, keep in mind that while international options are available.

Marie Günther

Chefredakteurin

Ensuring that a provider holds a valid German gambling licence is crucial for a safe and legal gaming experience. Providers need a German gambling licence for a legal offer. A licence from another EU country, for example Malta or Cyprus, is not sufficient . With the help of the white list of the Saxony-Anhalt state administration office, you can check whether the provider is in possession of a German gambling licence.

Information about Online Gambling in other countries

Online Glücksspiel Schweiz

Online Glücksspiel Schweiz

Online Gambling Switzerland

Online Gambling Switzerland

Casino en ligne international

Casino en ligne international

Online Glücksspiele in Deutschland

Online Glücksspiele in Deutschland

Online Glücksspiel Österreich

Online Glücksspiel Österreich

Where can I play in a casino in Switzerland?

With the new law, you can play anywhere in Switzerland! The best Swiss online casinos can be found on our list. You can enjoy online casino games like poker games, blackjack, and slots, and even try some scratch cards.

And even better: With the new Swiss online gambling law, it is 100% legal to gamble online! However, the law will eventually prohibit access to online casino sites that are not licensed in Switzerland. But for now, you can still access them legally.

European Online Casino Bonuses: Gambling with Additional Funds

The biggest reason to choose online gambling over land-based casinos is the bonus offers. While a land-based casino or arcade might occasionally offer free entry or a complimentary drink, the best online casinos provide starting deposit bonuses. Plus, there's a variety of casino bonuses that give you more value from the get-go.

The welcome bonus

When it comes to the best online casinos, you often get a big welcome bonus that at least doubles your deposit. For example, welcome offers are actually deposit bonuses that match your deposit by 100%.

If you head to a casino with €200 and sit at the blackjack table, spin the roulette wheel, or join a poker tournament, your budget could be gone in less than an hour, leaving you disappointed. But when you gamble online, you often get a 100% deposit bonus. For example, if you deposit €200, you'll have €400 to play with.

The Farmeramacheats website will tell you more about different types of deposit bonuses. Plus, you can see all the benefits of playing real money casino games, learn about casino games, and even check how payment options work in 2025.

Marie Günther

Chefredakteurin

While attractive, bonus offers should be carefully evaluated to understand their terms and conditions fully.

Safe and Fun Gaming in Online Casino Germany

Most online casino sites offer players their own accounts for easy access and control. Players expect a smooth, convenient experience while also ensuring their account is protected from unauthorized access.

They want to be sure that only they can access and play on their account. But what if, for example, the player’s children know their login details? This is where biometric identity verification, such as Face ID or a fingerprint scan, comes into play. It offers a perfect balance of usability and top-notch security. Without this level of convenience and protection, customers are likely to look elsewhere.

FAQ

Marie Günther - Editor-in-Chief

Marie Günther developed a deep interest in online marketing and e-commerce while studying Business Informatics at the University of Hamburg, which led her to the world of online casinos. After graduating in 2014, she began writing for various online gaming platforms, specialising in the analysis of player data and market trends. Since 2017, Marie has worked exclusively as a content creator for iGaming websites, where she uses her extensive knowledge of online casino strategies and technologies. Her articles provide valuable insights and tips for safe and responsible gaming, making her a valued voice in the industry.

Marie Günther

Chefredakteurin