Gambling In Germany Statistics: 14 Surprising Things You Need to Know in 2024

Germans love gambling despite the risks and prohibitions. One of the top reasons they gamble is the opportunity to earn more money.

A study shows that 75% of Germans have gambled at least once. The study reported that men are more likely to gamble than women and that betting on sports is men’s best way to gamble.

This article will examine Germany’s gambling industry, net loss, sports betting, growth, and gambling addiction. By the end of this piece, you’ll discover how gambling works in Germany and how it affects the citizens.

Highlights of the Article

• In 2020, online gambling accounted for around 19% of the net gambling losses.
• 19% of gambling in Germany is done online.
• Online casinos in Germany generated €2.2 billion in revenue in 2019.
• Germans were responsible for 11.4% of online gambling spend in Europe in 2019.
• Offline gambling services net estimates 900 million losses breakdown.
• Offline net gambling losses in the first year of the pandemic fell to €11.7 billion.
• Every month, 14.31% of Germans bet on sports.
• 37.76% of Germans bet on sports to win money.
• Germany’s gambling market is expected to grow approximately 10% year-over-year.
• German gambling revenue is projected to reach €3.3 billion by 2024.
• Growth rates for online casino and sports betting were 10.6% and 18.6%, respectively, in 2019 compared to 2018.
• 37.1% of sports bettors and 64.1% of casino game players have stopped gambling offline.
• At-risk gamblers make up 3.52% of the population.

How Much Do Germans Lose When Gambling?

The German gaming market was worth €13.3 billion in net losses in 2019. That year,  almost none of the sports betting services in Germany were legally allowed to operate, and online casino games and slot machines were not qualified for permits.

Let’s look closer at more gambling statistics in Germany.

Online Betting in Germany Statistics

Germany is the largest country in the European Union. It has taken many steps to open the online gambling market to its citizens, meaning the country is about to go through a significant growth era.

In 2019, Germany was one of the European countries with the most income, with €14.3 billion.

After new rules were enacted in 2021, remote betting and online casinos can now apply for licenses nationwide. This will give them access to millions wanting to play games in the country with the most people in Europe.

These stats show how big Germany’s online gambling is:

1. Online gambling accounted for around 19% of the net gambling losses in 2020.

(Frontiers)

In 2020, the net losses for online wagering tallied 19%, about 4% more than in 2019.

Until then, there was no consistent development: the share of online gambling increased from 14 to 21% from 2014 to 2017 but decreased again in 2019.

This shows that the online betting industry is not immune to changes in consumer behavior and may continue to change.

2. 19% of gambling in Germany is done online.

(XACE)

75% of the country’s population has gambled at least once, meaning about 12 million Germans have wagered online. About 19% of all gambling activities in Germany are online.

Online betting is massive for Germany’s gambling market. As the number of online bettors grows, it will be essential to monitor how it affects society and take steps to fix any problems that might come up.

3. Online casinos in Germany generated €2.2 billion in revenue in 2019.

(SBC News)

It was reported that in 2019, online casinos in Germany made €2.2 billion. By 2024, this number is expected to rise to €3.3 billion.

According to these numbers, most iGaming in the country is done through online casinos rather than sportsbooks or poker sites.

Online casinos are becoming more popular in Germany, which will likely continue. The people who run online casinos should pay attention to these trends and adapt.

4. Germans were responsible for 11.4% of online gambling spend in Europe in 2019.

(EGBA)

In 2019, 11.4% of all European money spent on online gambling came from Germany. That same year, European and UK people spent €24.5 billion online. Germans spent about €2.8 billion on iGaming.

Because of COVID-related closures, gross gambling revenue (GGR) was expected to drop by 23% (€75.9 billion) in 2020. Meanwhile, GGR from online gambling is expected to rise by 7% (€26.3 billion) and grow steadily to €37.3 billion.

The German market is an essential part of the online gaming industry in Europe. Germans spend a lot on different kinds of iGaming.

German Offline Wagering Statistics

The German government regulates offline gambling. Options are available to players, just like in sports betting or lotteries. 

The Handelsblatt Research Institute says that the total amount of money made from offline gambling in 2018 was € 14.2 billion. The land-based casinos, slot machines, and raffles brought in €10 billion.

Now, let’s look at the trends and prevalence of gambling from an offline perspective. 

5. Net losses in Germany’s offline gambling amounted to €7.26 Billion in 2019.

(Frontiers)

The combined offline gambling services with the highest risk potential represent about 55% of the German gambling market, with €7.26 billion in net losses.

The breakdown of data is as follows:

• State lotteries: €3.3 billion in net gambling losses
• Slot machines: €5.5 billion in net gambling losses
• Casinos: €860 million in net gambling losses
• Illegal sports betting: €900 million in net gambling losses

The breakdown of net losses shows how these offline gambling services serve a significant role in the gambling market. Their high-risk potential and popularity significantly contribute to the country’s net gambling losses.

6. In 2019, offline net gambling losses fell to €11.7 billion.

(Frontiers)

The net gambling losses in Germany fell to €11.7 billion during the first year of COVID-19. 

The significant drop could be attributed to the temporary closure of gambling venues and the economic hardships, which may have caused reduced gambling activities.

Sports Betting in Germany Statistics

In Germany, the sports betting market is very competitive. There are a lot of operators, domestic or international, vying for customers. The gross gambling win in Germany amounts to $16.1 billion.

It is crucial to know the scope and scale of this industry, mainly if you are a policymaker and regulator seeking to control the industry or an investor planning to enter this market.

Here are some compiled statistics relating the sports betting in Germany:

7. 14.31% of Germans bet on sports once a month.

(TGM Research)

According to the study, the frequency of sports betting in Germany is as follows:

• 11.07% bet on sports a few times a week.
• 14.31% bet on sports once a month.
• 38.82% bet on sports a few times a year or less.

Many Germans engage in sports betting at varying frequencies, emphasizing its popularity as a gambling activity.

8. 37.76% of Germans bet on sports to win money.

(TGM Research)

The main reasons people bet on sports are:

• 37.76% did it because they wanted to win money.
• 24.85% of people liked the thrill of sports betting,
• 17.66% thought sports betting made watching a game more fun.

The TGM sports betting poll shows that many Germans bet on sports. Winning money is the main reason most people bet on sports, followed by the fun and excitement of the activity.

Gambling Growth and Trends in Germany

The UK’s gambling market is the biggest in Europe and worldwide. In the UK, more than 32 million online gambling accounts are still in use. 

Germany comes next. In 2021, the sports betting market in Germany was worth $1.9 billion, which was 1% of the size of the market around the world.

The statistics below help monitor the industry by identifying the issues and informing evidence-based policies to have responsible gambling. 

9. Germany’s gambling industry is expected to grow approximately 10% year-over-year.

(CASINO BEATS)

The German iGaming business is second in Europe, behind the UK and ahead of Italy. It has attracted companies like Tipico and bet365, which are based in Germany and abroad. 

Due to the complicated regulations, finding the right technology partner is crucial and requires much work. Delasport’s solutions are fully legal in Germany and are used by market partners.

Soon, the German iGaming business is expected to grow by about 10% from one year to the next. But operators and software providers are still waiting for the whole legal process to be finished.

10. German gambling revenue is projected to reach  €3.3 billion by 2024.

(iGB)

Goldmedia reported that Germany’s gambling income will grow to €3.3 billion in 2024, marking a €1.1 billion increase from the revenue generated in 2019  (€2.2 billion).

The study looks at how the markets for lottery, sports betting, casinos, and gaming machines will change through 2019 and estimates how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the industry. 

Online casinos are becoming more popular in Germany despite COVID-19, reflected in the expected rise in gambling income.

11. Growth rates for online casino and sports betting were 10.6% and 18.6%, respectively, in 2019 compared to 2018.

(iGB)

The study mentioned that the pandemic would likely cause a 12.9% drop in gaming revenue from 2019 to 2020.

Even though Germany’s new licensing system is expected to have tighter rules, 62% of those surveyed said they would choose a locally licensed operator if they had the choice.

COVID-19 significantly affected the German game market but is projected to recover in the next few years. The study shows how crucial local licensing is in the German market.

German Betting Addiction Statistics.

Current studies on gambling disorders report prevalence estimates between 0.3%-0.5% for the German adult population. Considering its severe individual and societal consequences, treatment should be prioritized.

To have responsible gambling, best practices are always recommended. Let’s look now at various statistics related to the frequency of how Germans engage in gambling:

12. 37.1% of sports bettors and 64.1% of casino game players have stopped gambling offline.

(Greo)

After the national lockdown in Germany from March to May 2020, a study looked at how the gaming habits of people with higher risks changed.

The study showed that minimal people switched to gaming online. In particular, 37.1% of people who bet on sports and 64.1% who played casino games quit gambling in person.

The study shows that the COVID-19 lockdown didn’t have much effect on getting people who used to gamble in more dangerous ways to switch to online platforms.

13. At-risk gamblers make up 3.52% of the population.

(Frontiers)

About 3.52% of the people in the world are at-risk players. A study done in 2019 found that 35% of Germans gambled in some way, with the “6aus49” number lottery being the most popular. 

Scratch cards, slot machines, sports betting, and casino games are other popular gambling methods. A minimal number of 1.5% of the population was said to have played gambling games.

The study showed the following:

• 0.39% of the general population were problem gamblers
• 0.34% as pathological gamblers
• 3.52% of the people were at-risk bettors.

The study highlights that a relatively small percentage of the population in Germany engages in gambling. With low rates of problem and pathological gambling, a notable portion falls into the at-risk category, warranting attention to responsible gambling measures.

Closing Remarks

Despite the risk, gambling is still prevalent in Germany. The statistics provided above give insights for those interested in the German gambling industry.

These statistics are essential in understanding the effect of gambling on individuals and the community and enhancing policies to encourage responsible gambling.