All news related to "Online Gambling"

Anyone who has lost money in the past at an online casino or sports betting provider can, under certain conditions, reclaim it in full – however, time is running out. The Higher Regional Court of Cologne reaffirmed in January 2026 that providers such as Tipico, who offer online gambling without a German license, are obliged…

Landmark ruling from Austria A recent ruling by the Supreme Court (OGH) in Austria represents an important turning point for affected players. For the first time, a supreme court has confirmed, following a previous ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ, Case C-77/24 – “Wunner”), that the management of an illegal online casino can…

Many users of online sports betting associate a German license with clear expectations: a regulated market, effective player protection and reliable payouts. This trust is shaken when a licensed provider not only reaches its limits, but significantly exceeds them and ultimately even withholds profits. The legal framework is clear. Section 6c of the State Treaty…

Illegal online gambling: Law firm Cocron files new lawsuits against payment service providers Those who have deposited money into an illegal online casino often first think about possible claims against the casino operator itself. In practice, however, it is becoming increasingly clear that payment processing also needs to be subjected to intensive legal scrutiny. This…

Criminal investigations against users of illegal online gambling services have increased significantly in recent years. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly analyzing payment flows, which is bringing players into focus more and more often – often without them knowing that the provider they are using does not have a valid German license. In a recent criminal…

How far can licensed providers go in cases of limit violations – and what happens if even self-earned profits are not paid out? Many online sports betting customers associate a German license with clear expectations: state control, effective player protection and reliable payouts. However, this trust is shaken when a licensed operator not only touches…

Starting point: Why “it’s your own fault” falls short from a legal perspective. Those who lose money in an arcade, betting shop or similar establishment often hear: “That’s your own risk.” However, this view only applies if the operator complies with all legal obligations to protect the public. Gambling is not considered by law to…

Another defendant in the field of online gambling has been completely acquitted in court. In collaboration with René Scheier, István Cocron achieved another success for a client who had previously gambled with an illegally operating provider. The player had been accused of participating in illegal online gambling. According to the public prosecutor’s office, he violated…

Many users of online casinos or sports betting are initially shocked when they receive a letter from the public prosecutor’s office informing them that the provider they used did not have a German license and that playing was therefore illegal. Often, they feel completely defeated – without control over their situation and without any prospect…

The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) published its opinion on the preliminary ruling request from the European Court of Justice (ECJ, C-530/24) on July 31, 2025 (Case No. I ZR 90/23). The focus is on the question of whether players can reclaim their losses from online sports betting – and whether the former German…

Sports betting has long been an integral part of everyday life – whether it’s Bundesliga predictions, live betting, or combination bets via app. But how much money actually changes hands in Germany? Test your knowledge! 👇 Question 1: According to the Joint Gambling Authority of the German Federal States (GGL), what was the total amount…

On August 24, 2025, case C-530/24 was on the agenda before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) – a case that could shake the very foundations of the German sports betting industry. ⚖️🎲 The central question: Were online sports bets illegal without German authorization between 2013 and 2021 – and are contracts concluded as a…

The sports betting and online casino business has been growing strongly for years. However, a large proportion of these services are unlicensed in Germany – and therefore illegal. Anyone using such platforms or even advertising for them not only exposes themselves to financial risk but also faces criminal prosecution. Legal situation: Gambling only with German…

More and more courts are confirming that online gambling providers are subject to strict legal regulations, particularly regarding deposit and betting limits. In a recent case, a provider had to reimburse a player over €25,000 because he had repeatedly violated the applicable betting limits. Background: Protection through stake and deposit limits According to the 2021…

Background: Licensing only based on reliability On March 28, 2025 (Case No. 4 MB 4/25), the Higher Administrative Court of Schleswig-Holstein clarified: Providers of online gambling who repeatedly violate central regulations of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) are not entitled to a license. In this specific case, the application of a Maltese…

Greater transparency in online gambling: A court in Amsterdam compels providers to disclose loss data under the GDPR. In its judgment of July 4, 2025 (Case No. C/13/769802 / KG ZA 25-394), the Amsterdam District Court made a landmark decision. According to this ruling, European online gambling providers are obligated to provide players with comprehensive…

Berlin/Osnabrück, April 2025 – On March 10, 2025, the Osnabrück Regional Court ruled in favor of a player who was seeking to recover losses from online sports betting. The court clarified that the defendant provider had violated essential player protection regulations of the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV) – in particular, the applicable monthly…

What you should know now – and why the Federal Court of Justice’s ruling could be groundbreaking for many affected parties: On March 6, 2025, the Federal Court of Justice (case no. III ZR 137/24) issued a ruling that is likely to have significance far beyond the specific case decided. The judges addressed the question…

Luxembourg, Munich, April 9, 2025 A case was heard today at the European Court of Justice that could have far-reaching consequences for the recovery of gambling losses in the online gambling sector. The plaintiff is lawyer Volker Ramge, who has acquired a player’s claim against a Maltese gambling operator. Central point of contention: Is a…

What happened? The Merkur Group – known for platforms such as CrazyBuzzer, SlotMagie and MerkurBets – recently announced a serious data breach. Particularly concerning: apparently, copies of users’ identity documents and account details were publicly accessible. What does this mean for you as an affected party? Anyone who has received written notification from the Merkur…

Munich, Berlin, March 21, 2025. The Lüneburg Regional Court has ruled that a Schufa credit report is not suitable for determining a player’s financial capacity. Being debt-free provides no information about whether the person in question possesses financial capacity. Thus, individuals with low incomes can also claim to be debt-free even though they lack financial…

What is a GDPR data request and why is it important for online gamers? The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) gives you the right to know what personal data a company has stored about you. In the case of online gambling, this also includes information about your gaming activities, stakes, winnings, and losses. This information…

The Stuttgart Regional Court has underscored the importance of player protection in the context of online gambling with its ruling. The court clarified that providers must adhere to the legal deposit limits. Otherwise, they face significant financial consequences. The case involved a player who had suffered losses with two different providers. While the first provider…

The Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart has issued a landmark ruling for online sports betting. A player was able to reclaim losses exceeding €10,000 because the online sports betting provider had exceeded legal stake and deposit limits. The ruling clarifies that players can reclaim their money if providers violate the strict regulations of the Interstate…

The Higher Regional Court of Koblenz has made a significant ruling in the field of online gambling. A plaintiff was able to reclaim losses amounting to several thousand euros because the betting provider had disregarded the legal limits on stakes and deposits. Attorney Cocron and his team at COCRON Lawyers support victims in such cases…

Munich, Berlin, March 6, 2025. The Mayence Regional Court has reaffirmed in a further ruling that online sports betting providers must adhere to the statutory monthly deposit limit of €1,000.00. This decision represents another victory for players who have suffered financial losses through online sports betting. High gambling losses due to illegal practices In this…

Recent investigations by ARD uncover questionable practices in the gambling industry. A controversial case is currently occupying the German gambling industry: As recent investigations by Investigate Europe, Monitor, and Zeit Online reveal, the German federal states have entered into a previously secret agreement with online gambling providers that undermines legal player protections. This revelation raises…

Another success in limit proceedings: Munich Regional Court orders sports betting provider to repay gambling losses. Munich, Berlin, February 21, 2025 In a landmark ruling, the Munich I Regional Court ordered an online sports betting provider to reimburse gambling losses. The case, represented by the law firm COCRON Lawyers, highlights the crucial importance of legal…

More and more citizens are coming under the scrutiny of law enforcement because they unknowingly participated in illegal online sports betting or lotteries. Banks automatically report suspicious transactions – and a summons or questionnaire quickly follows. Particularly problematic: Even lawyers who assist clients with losses can find themselves in the crosshairs. What does participation in…

Nationwide, numerous individuals are currently facing criminal investigations related to online gambling. The charges range from participation in illegal gambling under Section 285 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) to money laundering offenses. In this challenging situation, experienced legal representation is essential. Legal challenges in online gambling investigations Participating in unlicensed online gambling can have…

In a significant ruling, the Frankfurt Regional Court has once again clarified that sports betting providers are obligated to comply with legal deposit limits. A sports betting provider must repay a player €18,710 because he violated the legal deposit limit. The ruling strengthens the rights of consumers who have suffered significant losses despite existing protective…

If online gambling providers violate the gambling ban in Germany or the monthly deposit limit of €1,000, players can demand repayment of their losses. This is also demonstrated by a ruling of the Stuttgart Regional Court. The court decided that the defendant operators of online casino games and online sports betting must reimburse a player…

The possibility of reclaiming losses from sports betting is attracting increasing attention. While there is still no final ruling from the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), the preliminary ruling of March 22, 2024 (I ZR 88/23) provides clear guidelines and strengthens the position of consumers. But what are the actual chances for those affected? The…

The German gambling market has undergone a significant tightening of regulations since the introduction of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling in 2021. Particularly in the area of online sports betting, strict regulations have been introduced to protect consumers. Nevertheless, it appears that many providers are disregarding these regulations – with potentially costly consequences for the…

The cash-out feature allows online sports betting to be settled before the end of a sporting event. For many players, this is an attractive option. However, the cash-out feature is prohibited for all sports betting in Germany. Many live betting options are also not permitted. Nevertheless, the cash-out feature is extremely popular for individual matches…

The ban on online gambling in Germany serves, among other things, to protect players from ruinous behavior. Therefore, obtaining a license to operate online gambling is subject to conditions. Providers must, among other things, guarantee compliance with a monthly deposit limit of €1,000. The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has already made it clear that…

Poker enjoys great popularity. Although it offers players the opportunity to make the most of their cards through tactical maneuvers, poker is considered a game of chance. This also applies to online poker. This means that players can reclaim their losses if the operators of online poker games do not possess the required license valid…

The Higher Regional Court of Brandenburg ruled on October 16, 2023, that an online gambling operator must fully compensate a player for his losses. The player can breathe a sigh of relief; he had gambled away approximately €60,000 at the online casino. He had accumulated the losses between 2017 and 2019 while participating in online…

The Munich Regional Court had ordered an online gambling operator to reimburse a player for his losses, as the operator lacked the necessary license to offer online gambling in Germany. The defendant gambling operator’s appeal against the ruling was unsuccessful. The Munich Higher Regional Court dismissed the appeal in a decision dated December 14, 2023.…

Secondary lotteries on the internet are considered online gambling and therefore require a license. This was decided by the Federal Court of Justice in a ruling dated November 8, 2023. “In practice, this means that players who have lost money gambling with secondary lotteries on the internet can reclaim their losses if the provider did…

The relaxation of the ban on online gambling in Germany has not meant that gambling can be offered without the required license. Without the necessary license, online gambling remains illegal, meaning players have a right to compensation for their losses. This is also demonstrated by a ruling of the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe, which…

Without the required license, online sports betting was and remains prohibited in Germany. The consequence of illegal sports betting is that players can reclaim their losses. However, the lack of a license is not the only reason why betting providers may be obligated to refund losses. According to the Berlin Court of Appeal, a violation…

That online gambling has a high potential for addiction is confirmed by a case from Austria. A doctor had participated in online gambling via the website of the gambling provider bet-at-home and lost over two million euros over time. Following a ruling by the Austrian Supreme Court (OGH), he must have been greatly relieved. The…

Online sports betting providers have long since discovered amateur sports for their purposes and are trying to lure players with betting offers. Players should be aware that sports betting on amateur sporting events is generally prohibited in Germany. ” This also means that players can reclaim their losses from online sports betting on amateur sports,…

The Federal Court of Justice has repeatedly made it clear that it considers online sports betting in Germany without the required license to be illegal. “The consequence is that players can reclaim their losses from illegal sports betting on the internet,” says lawyer István Cocron, who has already successfully enforced this claim for numerous players.…

Munich, June 3, 2024. Online gambling is booming, and many players regularly gamble away large sums of money in online casinos. However, online gambling without the required license has always been, and remains, prohibited in Germany. The ban is intended, among other things, to protect players from ruinous behavior and gambling addiction, and also to…

Munich, April 25, 2024. Websites like Mr Green and 888poker are familiar to players in Germany. Behind them is 888 Holdings PLC, headquartered in Gibraltar. Online gambling is only permitted in Germany if the operator holds the required license. While 888 Holdings now possesses the necessary permits, this wasn’t always the case. The company appears…