Baden-Württemberg has become just the third German state to legalize certain online casino games, joining Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein.
For crypto casino gamblers, this is not the most exciting news, as Baden-Württemberg will launch a state-run online casino platform offering blackjack, roulette, and other table games.
The Push for Responsible Gaming: Why Baden-Württemberg Wants Full Control
The German Interstate Treaty on Gambling was signed in 2021, devolving gambling legalization on certain casino games to each state. Online sports betting and slots have been legalized on a national level, but table games must be regulated at the individual state level.
Interior Minister Thomas Strobl and other legislators suggest the move for a state-run monopoly will better help the state curb illegal gambling, reduce the risk of gambling-related harms, and generate significant tax revenue for reinvestment in the state.
The Minister emphasized that the new legislation will allow better oversight, and has pointed to experience suggesting that “public institutions prioritize consumer safety over profit.”
Under the new rules, only one online casino will be permitted to operate in the state, and this will be run by Staatliche Toto-Lotto GmbH.
Critics of the legislation, however, argue that state-run monopolies have proven to be inefficient, and there has also been doubt cast over whether the state will have enough resources to effectively monitor and provide treatment for gambling addiction.
Heavy Regulations for Online Casino Players: Low Limits and High Taxes
Under Section 39c, the state has outlined a tiered taxation system for online casino revenue.
There will be a 15 percent tax on monthly revenue generated up to €300,000. This rises to 20 percent on revenue generated between €300,000 and €750,000; the top tier stands at 25 percent for monthly revenue in excess of €750,000.
The website will be a distant relative of a fast-paced crypto casino, with the online casino in Baden-Württemberg adopting the same regulations as those imposed country-wide on online slot play.
A Roulette spin will be limited to €1 per spin, with a mandatory five-second break between each spin. In addition, there are mandatory affordability checks for consumers wishing to deposit more than €1,000 a month. Residents of the country must provide verified income and credit history.
The new legislation will see the formation of Fachstelle Glücksspielsucht Baden-Württemberg, a body that will lead addiction prevention campaigns, undertake specific research, and offer support services for those who need them.
In addition to the Fachstelle, a new division within Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe will be created. This division will be responsible for overseeing and enforcing compliance in gaming establishments and undertaking mystery customer-style work to identify breaches.
Boerse Stuttgart’s Crypto Success: A Glimpse Into Germany’s Digital Future?
Although Germany has one of the strictest regulatory regimes for online casinos and expansion is currently not on the cards, cryptocurrency is gaining traction.
Whereas gambling with crypto may be a way off, Boerse Stuggart, the stock exchange, recently recorded a large boost in revenue attributed to offering cryptocurrency services in 2024.
The exchange’s crypto trading volumes tripled in 2024 and generated 25 percent of the company’s total revenues during the year.
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