Germany: Schleswig Holstein Jurisdiction profile

Schleswig Holstein Jurisdiction

Situated in the northwestern portion of Germany, Schleswig Holstein is a great area for online gambling. Over the years, changes have been made to ensure the state is more open to gaming options. In 2012,  Germany was pushed by the European Court of Justice and the European Gaming & Betting Association to loosen its restrictive laws regarding gambling.

At that time, the debates caused Schleswig Holstein to create its own regulations. Around 50 licenses were provided to online operators, including online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks. By 2013, the state decided to join the Interstate Treaty on Gambling. This is the main regulatory body in the country.

This decision left the current license holders with an issue. Their licensing was now in a gray area, making them both valid and invalid simultaneously. It would take until 2021 for legal changes to come about to help the online gambling industry in Schleswig Holstein.

The New State Treaty on Gambling (GluNeuRStV) in Germany came into full effect in July 2021. Each of the 16 states in Germany, including Schleswig Holstein, could offer a new licensing, regulatory, and taxation plan for land-based and online gaming. The legislation was a major update for the country and one that players have been looking forward to.

The GluNeuRStV allows players to gamble legally online for the very first time and enacts strict licensing conditions and player protections. Operators must set a low individual stake limit for video slots at €1 ($1.20) and a monthly deposit cap of €1,000 ($1,206). Companies approved for licensing can maintain that status for five years.

Five-second spin speed is mandatory for all slots, and cooling-off periods are included among options for players to take a break. Licensed operators must pay a 5.3% tax on online slot and poker earnings. Additional legislation continues to be brought to the table in Schleswig Holstein to provide additional gambling for players.

In 2022, a measure was passed by legislators that would see the state provide five licenses for the local online casino operation. These licenses come with a 44% gross gaming revenue tax. States were already allowed to offer their own online gambling monopolies thanks to GluNeuRStV and issue separate commercial licenses to coincide with their land-based casinos. 

The goal of changes to gambling laws in Schleswig-Holstein is to ensure player protection and to channel gamblers to legal and regulated markets. With a regulated industry, players can enjoy slots, table games, and other options from providers who the state’s regulator oversees.

This ensures that players have access to fair games, secure payments, and protection against identity theft. Giving players a quality market ensures that they are protected. Any issues can be brought to regulators and taken care of in-house. Operators may be at risk of fines or losing their license if they do not follow protocols and guidelines set by those overseeing the industry.