Since 1 July 2021, all online casinos and sports betting providers in Germany have been subject to a uniform monthly deposit limit of EUR 1,000. This limit serves active player protection and is intended to prevent players from losing disproportionately large sums within a short time. If you nevertheless deposited higher amounts in individual months – because the provider allowed it – you can in many cases reclaim the excess losses. In some situations, there is even a claim to repayment of all stakes lost during this period. Compliance with deposit limits at online casinos and for sports betting is therefore crucial in order to minimise financial risks.
Numerous courts have since confirmed that the deposit limit is not merely a recommendation or a kind of guideline value, but a mandatory statutory requirement that every provider must strictly observe. It makes no difference whether the provider holds a German licence or was operating without authorisation: a violation of the limit regularly results in liability. It is also particularly significant that from the year 2026 onwards, the first claims begin to become time-barred, which means that affected players urgently need to act. Players should therefore inform themselves early about their rights in connection with deposit limits at online casinos and for sports betting.
What is a “deposit limit claim” (Limitverfahren) in online gambling?
The term “deposit limit claim” (Limitverfahren) has become established in legal practice for a specific type of action against online gambling providers. In such actions, players argue that the provider failed to observe the statutory deposit limit and demand reimbursement of the resulting losses. Players can assert their claims in particular where deposit limits at online casinos or the deposit limit for sports betting have been violated.
Such proceedings differ significantly from so-called legacy-period claims (Altzeitraum-Klagen), which concern losses from periods in which online casinos generally operated without a German licence (i.e. before July 2021). Deposit limit claims, by contrast, apply from 1 July 2021 – i.e. to a phase in which providers could in principle obtain a German licence but nevertheless violated key player protection obligations. This concerns in particular the disregard of deposit limits at online casinos and for sports betting.
As a result, deposit limit claims have now also become relevant for players who previously believed that their losses were gone for good because the provider was formally operating “legally” with a German licence.
The EUR 1,000 deposit limit: legal basis and practical significance
The relevant provision is Section 6c(1) of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). Under this provision, a player may deposit no more than EUR 1,000 in total per month across all providers. The limit therefore does not apply per provider, but to all of a player’s online gambling combined. This rule ensures that deposit limits at online casinos and for sports betting are observed in order to protect players from financial risks.
Technically, the limit is implemented via the central LUGAS limit file. Before a provider may accept a deposit, it must use this system to check whether the player has already reached their monthly limit. If the limit has been used up, the deposit must be refused. This applies both to deposit limits at online casinos and to the deposit limit for sports betting.
In addition, Section 4(5) no. 2 GlüStV 2021 provides that only providers that reliably monitor and comply with the deposit limit may receive a German licence. A violation therefore means:
- a breach of a protective statute,
- a violation of licensing requirements,
- and liability for the resulting losses.
Licensed providers are also liable for deposit limit violations
A widespread misconception is: “If the provider has a German licence, I don’t need to worry about the limit.”
According to current case law, this is clearly wrong. Licensed providers, too, must strictly comply with deposit limits at online casinos and the deposit limit for sports betting in order to avoid liability.
The Regional Court Munich II (LG München II) ruled on 21 February 2025 that a licensed sports betting provider had to fully reimburse a player’s losses, even though it had held a valid licence since 2020. For months, the provider had accepted deposits far above the limit – without any effective control.
The court emphasised:
- The violation of the deposit limit renders the entire contractual relationship invalid – not just the part above the limit.
- The repayment claim covers all deposits made in the relevant period.
- Transitional arrangements until July 2022 do not change the obligation to monitor the limit.
- A licence does not protect the provider if it disregards its statutory protective obligations.
This decision sends a strong signal, because it shows: in cases of deposit limit violations, what matters is not whether the provider was licensed, but solely whether the limit was observed. This applies in particular to deposit limits at online casinos and the deposit limit for sports betting, which are laid down by law to protect players.
The SCHUFA problem: unlawful limit increases
Under strict conditions, the monthly limit can be increased to up to EUR 10,000. However, this requires specific proof of the financial capacity of the player, for example through payslips or bank statements.
Instead, some providers tried to grant limit increases solely on the basis of a SCHUFA G query. Several courts have held this practice to be unlawful.
- The Regional Court of Lüneburg (LG Lüneburg) found that a SCHUFA query allows no conclusions whatsoever about financial capacity.
- The Regional Court of Osnabrück (LG Osnabrück) confirmed this line on 10 March 2025 and ordered a provider to reimburse all losses resulting from the unlawful limit increase.
For players, this means: if you were granted a limit increase without submitting proof of income, you should have it checked whether you have a claim for repayment. This applies in particular if deposit limits at online casinos or the deposit limit for sports betting were exceeded.
Consistent case law – including at Higher Regional Court level
Case law on deposit limit violations is now almost unanimous:
- Higher Regional Court of Koblenz (OLG Koblenz), 25 April 2024: providers must pay in cases of violations of stake and deposit limits.
- Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart (OLG Stuttgart), 27 February 2026: deposit limit violations constitute a breach of a protective statute within the meaning of Section 823(2) of the German Civil Code (BGB) – regardless of any licence.
- Numerous Regional Courts across Germany (including Munich II, Osnabrück, Stuttgart, Mainz, Heidelberg and Stendal) have ruled in favour of players.
This means: a provider that does not use the LUGAS system properly or accepts deposits above the limit is fully liable. This concerns both deposit limits at online casinos and the deposit limit for sports betting.
What legal claims do you have?
Two legal bases for claims are central:
1. Damages (Section 823(2) BGB)
This requires the violation of a protective statute.
The deposit limit provisions expressly serve to protect the individual player – for example against gambling addiction or financial harm.
Advantage: the claim exists even if the contract itself was valid.
2. Repayment under the law of unjust enrichment (Sections 812 et seq. BGB)
If the contract is deemed void due to deposit limit violations or licensing defects, players can reclaim all deposits – often even without deduction of any winnings received.
Which losses can be recovered in cases of deposit limit violations?
- Deposits above EUR 1,000/month: regularly recoverable, particularly in cases of violations of deposit limits at online casinos or for sports betting.
- If the contract is void: all deposits made during the period.
- In the case of an unlawful limit increase: all losses from the date of the improper increase.
Limitation in 2026 – urgent need for action
The standard limitation period is three years.
- Losses from 2021/2022: claims are already expiring or have expired.
- Losses from 2023: become time-barred on 31 December 2026.
- Losses from 2024: become time-barred on 31 December 2027.
In certain cases, a 10-year period may apply under Section 852 BGB, but this depends on the individual case.
Important: since court proceedings take time, nobody should wait until the end of 2026.
Who should have their claims for deposit limit violations checked?
A review is particularly advisable if:
- you have played since July 2021,
- more than EUR 1,000 per month was deposited, exceeding the statutory deposit limit,
- no proof of income was submitted for limit increases,
- a limit increase was granted solely on the basis of a SCHUFA check,
- significant losses were incurred between 2021 and 2024.
Claims can of course also exist against licensed providers.
Recommended action
Players should:
- secure bank statements and transaction histories,
- document deposits and withdrawals,
- have a legal review carried out promptly.
