Poker in Germany
Last updated: May 23, 2026
Germany has ~3 million poker players — the second-largest market in the EU after the UK — and online poker has been federally regulated since July 1, 2021 under the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag (GlüStV). Only a handful of operators hold German licenses: PokerStars Germany, partypoker Deutschland, and Tipico Poker, all running ring-fenced .de liquidity. A 5.3% Spieleinsatzsteuer (stake tax) is applied on every buy-in, which raises effective rake versus offshore rooms. Live poker is legal at state Spielbanken — Hohensyburg in Dortmund, Berlin, Wiesbaden, Bad Homburg, Baden-Baden. Amateur winnings are tax-free; professional play (Berufsspieler status) is taxable as commercial income. Germany has produced an outsized share of elite high-rollers: Fedor Holz ($36M+), Christoph Vogelsang ($26M+), Rainer Kempe ($16M+, 2016 Big One for One Drop), Steffen Sontheimer ($14M+) — Holz and Sontheimer also co-founded Pokercode, one of the top global training sites. Gambling-addiction prevention (Spielsucht) is a stated public-health priority, and the GGL enforces a default €1,000/month deposit limit across all licensed operators.
Definitions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online poker legal in Germany?
Yes — regulated since July 1, 2021 under the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (GlüStV, Interstate Treaty on Gambling). Operators must hold a German license issued by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). Only ~3-5 operators currently authorized: PokerStars Germany, partypoker DE, Tipico, and a handful of others. Unlicensed offshore sites are technically illegal for German residents to access, though enforcement targets operators not players.
How much tax do German poker players pay?
Two layers. (1) Operator-side: 5.3% tax on player stakes (Spieleinsatzsteuer) — this is on every bet/buy-in, not on winnings, and is passed through as higher rake. (2) Player-side: poker winnings are tax-free in Germany if you play as an 'amateur' (no commercial intent). If tax authorities classify you as a 'professional' (Berufsspieler) — regular high-volume play, primary income source — winnings become taxable as commercial income (~14-45% income tax plus trade tax). The 5.3% stake tax makes German-licensed rake significantly higher than offshore.
What are the best poker sites in Germany?
Licensed under GlüStV (legal for German residents): PokerStars Germany (.de domain, separate liquidity from .com), partypoker Deutschland, Tipico Poker. These offer reduced game variety and smaller player pools versus international rooms because of ring-fenced liquidity. GGPoker and 888poker do not currently hold German licenses. Many German pros play on international sites via VPN or by residing abroad — a legal gray area.
Where can I play live poker in Germany?
Live poker is legal at state-licensed casinos (Spielbanken). Major venues: Casino Hohensyburg (Dortmund) — largest poker room, frequent tournaments; Spielbank Berlin (Potsdamer Platz); Spielbank Wiesbaden — historic, hosted WSOP Europe events; Spielbank Bad Homburg; Casino Baden-Baden. Cash games typically €1/€2 to €5/€10 NLHE. Major tournament series: German Poker Days, WSOP Circuit Rozvadov (across border in Czech Republic) attracts many German players.
Who are Germany's top poker players?
Fedor Holz (Saarbrücken, $36M+ live earnings) — co-founder of Pokercode training site, retired-then-returned super-high-roller. Steffen Sontheimer ($14M+, Pokercode co-founder). Rainer Kempe ($16M+, 2016 Big One for One Drop winner). Christoph Vogelsang ($26M+, super-high-roller specialist). Manig Loeser, Dietrich Fast, Stefan Schillhabel. Germany has produced more $10M+ live earners per capita than any country outside the US.
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