Casinos in Germany

Introduction

Land-based casinos (spielbanks) and sports betting parlors are very popular in Germany. Gambling opportunities are spread throughout the country. Whether you're in a big city or out in the countryside you're likely to find a place to enjoy a game of chance. Most German casinos are upscale venues that offer more than just gaming. You’ll find restaurants, bars, and live entertainment ay many of them giving players a more complete entertainment experience.

With about 100 licensed gaming sites you’ll find some that are small and modern and others that are large and loaded with history and luxury - even when they are located in a historical setting they still offer the most up-to-date electronic games to go along with traditional table and card games.

The industry is strictly regulated so it is safe to play in any licensed establishment. The legal gambling age is 18, and most casinos require a valid ID or a passport for entry. In some venues, a small entry fee might be charged, however, this is usually only for the traditional table game areas with the gaming machine sections offering free admittance.

Gambling in Germany is about more than simply risking money in hopes of a big payout, it's about the full gambling experience. The atmosphere is decidedly different than the gaming houses of many other European countries - Germans enjoy gambling and they demand a proper venue with fair games, plenty of options, and a well-rounded experience.

History of Gambling

Germany’s neighbor, France, banned gambling in the 1800s then lo and behold, casinos started popping up in Germany's Rhineland region. French players had suddenly found themselves without a place to gamble, so they looked across the border and found what they needed. Many observers believe that was the start of the modern casino gambling industry in Germany. But it wasn’t just French players pouring over to play, they also had a new game they demanded called roulette, and comradery was nurtured among the locals and the visitors because now they were in it together, with everyone playing against the house and not against each other.

It was somewhat of a golden age of gambling for Germany with destination casinos much like those in Las Vegas and elsewhere today. Visitors could find more than one type of entertainment under one roof and would stay for days or even weeks on end. Unfortunately for local and French patrons, the German Empire drew a line under legal gambling in the Rhineland in the 1870s. Now the German and French players had to find another place to play and some of them followed their gambling lust to Monaco.

While free and fair gambling in Germany has gone through some rough patches, casinos remain an important part of the people and their economy today.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

The gambling laws in Germany appear to be fair but also strict. The European Union has played an outsized role in helping to create Germany's gambling regulations simply by Germany being a reliable member of the EU. Various EU court rulings and directives have pushed for a more unified approach across all member countries. Some have cooperated and others have fought long and hard against certain reforms and that has helped shape EU standards as well. Pressure from the EU encouraged Germany to introduce a few important reforms over the last couple of decades and these helped bring German gambling law more in line with European standards.

In terms of games, Germany's casinos offer a good mix, but you’ll find slots almost everywhere and most spots have anywhere from 80 to 150 machines. The action is spread out over about 90 operations in about 70 cities so it’s easy to imagine most municipalities only have one gaming venue with AWP slots and the like. Of course, larger cities like Berlin can have a few more.

Popular table games in German casinos include American and French Roulette, Blackjack, and Poker, with some interesting variants popping up here or there. Along with gambling a lot of casinos offer amenities like bars and lounges, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Popular Spots and Games

Germany is home to quite a few world-class casinos and Berlin is the country’s largest gambling city. There are five major gambling venues in Berlin featuring 39 table games and over 1,000 slot machines across the city. The biggest casino in the country is Spielbank Berlin - Fernsehturm, with 20 table games, 20 poker tables, and 555 slots.

Spielbank Do-Hohensyburg in North Rhine-Westphalia is another place the inveterate gambling traveler must visit. It’s open 24/7 and is part of a larger entertainment complex operated by West Deutsche Spielbanken GmbH & Co. KG. Many say this is the ultimate in gambling and nightlife.

One of Germany’s most famous casinos is Spielbank Berlin. The gambling house launched in 1975 at the Europa Center at Zoologischer Garten and relocated to its present location in 1998. This is one of the casinos that charge a small fee to get in but that €2.50 grants you access to over 300 slots found in smoking and non-smoking areas. Go to the exclusive "Casino Royale" room for Blackjack starting at €10 a hand or go for the gusto in the high-limit roulette section with minimum bets starting at €500.

Spielbank Berlin also has top-name live music, a theater, and a restaurant. Poker is a big deal there too. The poker floor opens daily at 6 pm. With regular tournaments. The room has previously hosted big events like the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Europe.

Conclusion

Germany’s land-based casinos offer a variety of atmospheres and game choices for locals in many small towns to the bigger casinos in the cities. With about 100 licensed venues spread across the country, players can find a good selection of games and places to play them. From slot machines and AWPs to traditional table games like blackjack, roulette, and poker you will be able to find a safe and fun place to play your favorite games.

Most German casinos offer more than just gambling. Restaurants, bars, and live entertainment are common, and places like Kasino Leverkusen offer luxury accommodations. The German gambling industry is well-regulated and has proved to be flexible when it needs to adjust to changing times.