Online casinos accepting players from Luxembourg

Being among the top 5 richest nations in the world, Luxembourg is a small land-locked country in Western Europe. Officially referred to as the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, this country borders Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France to the south.

Although the legislation strictly prohibits all forms of gambling, a wide array of exceptions exists, enabling locals to explore versatile casino games. Online gambling is not regulated yet, but a solid number of offshore operators accept players from this country.

Laws and Regulations

Luxembourg is among the richest countries in the world, but despite that its gambling industry is not as active. All forms of gambling are banned, but land-based casinos and sports betting are allowed if approved by the Ministry of Justice.

Perhaps it may sound surprising, but the country actually has only one land-based casino- Casino 2000, situated in Mondorf-les-Bains. Authorized to operate by the Ministry of Finance, this venue is in business since 1983, offering state-of-the-art games, mystery and progressive jackpots, bonus cards, and table games.

As for the interactive sector, the only official gambling website in the country is the one run by the Loterie Nationale, where players can check out a diversity of instant-win games. This institution holds a monopoly on land-based games, interactive lottery and sports betting products.

In February 2011, the lottery entered a strategic agreement with GTECH, thanks to which the portfolio was extended to include more interactive games, lottery products, and other categories of games.

The entire regulatory framework relies on the Gambling Law 1977 and National Lottery Law 2009, while regulatory bodies include Directions des Contributions and Ministère de la Justice.

With regard to taxes, casino operators are charged 10% of the gross win for amounts up to €45k, while wins above €8.1m are taxed 80% of the gross win. National Lottery proceeds are distributed among charitable organizations. The minimal gambling age is 18.

Player Protection and Responsible Gambling Measures

Wanting to raise awareness of the importance of responsible gambling, the country’s only land-based casino launched aproactive player protection program in 2002. Every year, all employees take part in the training, where they learn how to recognize the patterns which indicate that a consumer is experiencing gambling-related problems.

They are authorized to approach a person who exhibits problematic behavior and give them both a self-test and general info on gambling addiction. Such a client may encounter certain limitations, which may include a ban as well.

This program was audited as one of the best schemes among European countries under the European Casino Association's Responsible Gaming Certification Framework in 2015. What’s even more Luxembourg is one the first jurisdictions to have implemented anti-money-laundering laws.

The online gambling sector doesn’t feature any similar player protection program, yet there are no reports on major issues with addiction or irresponsible behavior. Players seem to be aware of the consequences excessive gambling can cause, so, they strive to make a good balance between entertainment and responsibility.

Casinos with licenses issued by a rigorous regulator are required to have versatile helpful tools, such as:

• Limits on deposits/ wagers/ withdrawals on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis
• Reality checks or activity notifications/ alarms
• Cool-off and self-exclusion

Sometimes, they feature some sort of self-assessment quizzes where players can evaluate their gambling habits. Also, they sometimes add links to organizations specialized in providing assistance to consumers dealing with gambling-related harms.

Payment Methods and Banking

Since 2002, Euro is the official currency of Luxembourg. As the number of online casinos supporting this payment method is quite big, players have more than enough options to choose from. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are great choices as well.

2016 was a milestone year not only for the local cryptocurrency sector but the crypto industry itself. Bitstamp, one of the largest crypto businesses, became the first nationally licensed exchange for Bitcoin. This license encompassed 28 countries in the EU, representing a huge step forward in embracing BTC.

Payments in online casinos go beyond just selecting a card/e-wallet/ voucher/ crypto option to place a certain amount of money on the balance. When choosing the right method to fund the account, and later withdraw, each player should:

• Explore whether fees are imposed on deposits and/ or cashouts
• Check the pending and processing time (including the verification of ID documents, if necessary)
• See what are maximum and minimum amounts per transaction

By doing so BEFORE actually playing games, a player will avoid all the misunderstandings that often appear in the cashout stage. Sometimes a casino offers only one or two banking options, so there’s not much philosophy, but if a cashier is filled with 5, 10, or even 50+ methods, informing on all the pluses and minuses in advance is a must.

What Should Players from Luxembourg Pay Attention to When Selecting a Casino?

Having in mind that new casinos open their virtual doors every day, making the right decision about where to play becomes more and more challenging. This whole selection procedure can often be intimidating and stressful, which is why we came up with some helpful tips.

So, when presented with a new gambling website, consumers should always check:

• The license (the seal is clickable, so you can verify the validity status at any time)
• Payment methods and the banking policy
• Featured developers and game genres
• Bonuses, promotions, and all the rules that come along
• Communication options with the customer support team (live chat, phone, and e-mail)

Furthermore, if you are looking for a more personalized experience, check whether the platform is available in multiple languages. The official languages of Luxembourg are Luxembourgish, German, and French.

Also, if you are a fan of mobile gambling, see whether the page is mobile-friendly. Check if the selection of games and bonuses is the same as on the desktop version.

Don’t be discouraged by this comprehensive “to-do list” we shared with you. All in all, it takes 15-20 minutes to check all these details and then immerse into your favorite games. That’s not much, isn’t it?

Have fun and gamble responsibly!

FAQ

Is it legal to gamble online in Luxembourg?

Online gambling is not regulated in Luxembourg, but Loterie Nationale does offer some interactive instant win games. Land-based casinos and sports betting can operate but only with a license granted by the Ministry of Justice.

Can players from Luxembourg gamble on mobile devices?

Luxembourgian players can play online casino games on their mobile devices. No law explicitly prohibits or approves mobile gambling. 

What are the most popular online casino games in Luxembourg?

Most often players from Luxembourg play slot titles and table games, but they also like live games, instant win games, and lottery.

Is demo play available in Luxembourg -friendly online casinos?

Luxembourgian players can play games in a fun mode, also known as a demo mode. The availability differs from one casino to another. Also, sometimes registration is required to check out games in the demo variant, while in other cases, even guests can access it.

What kind of online casino bonuses can Luxembourgian players claim?

Just like in many countries, people from Luxembourg usually claim welcome bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, free spins, and cashback bonuses.