Recognizing a GGL License: How to Check in 30 Seconds if a Casino is Legal in Germany

The Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL), based in Halle (Saale), maintains a public whitelist of all online gambling operators permitted in Germany. Anyone not on that list is simply illegal in this country—regardless of any MGA, Curaçao, UKGC, or older Schleswig-Holstein license being advertised. This guide will show you how to check in under 30 seconds whether a provider is genuinely GGL-licensed and what tricks dubious casinos use to create that impression without actually being legal.

Step 1: Open the official whitelist at https://www.gluecksspiel-behoerde.de/de/fuer-spielende/uebersicht-erlaubter-anbieter-whitelist. The site is publicly accessible in plain text and is updated several times a month. It contains three separate lists: virtual slot games (slots), online poker, and online sports betting. Anyone looking for an online casino with slots must find it on the first list.

Step 2: Type the casino's name into the search function. The exact spelling is important. You'll find "JackpotPiraten" listed as "Mernov Operations Limited"—that's the licensee. "OnlineCasino DE" is listed as "OnlineCasino Deutschland AG". If the provider is not listed under any obvious variation, it is highly likely not GGL-licensed. If you're unsure, it's worth checking the legal notice or "Impressum" section of the casino's website—the full licensee must be stated there.

Step 3: Additionally, check for the presence of the following security features on the casino's website. First: a €1 stake limit per spin (no higher stake is possible). Second: a 5-second mandatory pause between rounds (every slot must enforce this). Third: connection to OASIS (self-exclusion is possible directly in the casino menu). Fourth: connection to LUGAS (the cross-provider €1,000 monthly limit is displayed). Fifth: no live casino available (not permitted by regulation in Germany). If even one of these features is missing, caution is advised—either the provider is illegal or is violating GGL regulations.

Common tricks used by disreputable providers: First, vague license descriptions like "European licensed" or "internationally recognized"—such phrasing is usually an indication that no German GGL license exists. Second, using GGL logos or references to the authority without providing a real license number—this is fraudulent misrepresentation and a punishable offense. Third, an old German-style domain (like .de or .eu) without an actual business seat in Germany; many illegal operators park domains without any regulatory backing.

Why is the GGL license so important? First: only in GGL-licensed casinos is your money legally protected. While losses at non-licensed providers can be reclaimed following the 2026 BGH ruling (Case No. XII ZR 187/25), this involves a lengthy legal process requiring effort, time, and attorney fees. Second: only GGL casinos are required to be connected to OASIS and LUGAS—meaning you have effective player protection. Third: winnings from GGL casinos are generally guaranteed to be paid out; disputes can be resolved via the GGL's arbitration board.

As of June 2026, the current GGL whitelist includes around 58 providers in the virtual slot games category. Among the best-known are JackpotPiraten, OnlineCasino DE, Merkur Slots, Tipwin Casino, bwin Casino (Entain), Tipico Games, LeoVegas DE, DrückGlück, Wunderino, Mywin24, OVO Casino, Lapalingo, and Lottohelden Casino. A complete, continuously updated overview can be found on the GGL website and in our provider list at lustich.de/casinos.

Our conclusion: The GGL whitelist is your most important tool for safe online gambling in Germany. Invest 30 seconds in this check before you deposit money anywhere—and you could save yourself potentially thousands of euros in losses and months of legal disputes. Lustich.de has made it its mission to exclusively recommend GGL-licensed providers and to transparently show which brands operate legally in Germany. Those who trust our recommendations are on the safe side—legally, financially, and in terms of player protection.