Online casinos like mega888 are by law, illegal in some parts of the world. It’s clear that providing gambling services online is not allowed, however, it is not clear if participating in these sites is allowed at some point. In Germany, however, this will be tolerated (for economic reasons?)

Are Online Casinos Legal?

The turning point happens almost silently after all these years, at least suspiciously quiet considering the importance of this key date. From this Thursday on, illegal online casino games will be tolerated in Germany for the first time. The supervisory authorities in the federal states will from now on no longer take action against providers of online slot machines, poker rounds and others, so long as they adhere to specific rules. The federal states agreed on this interim solution for the period up to summer 2021 in September .

The minister-presidents had previously agreed on a comprehensive reform of the German gambling laws and found a compromise with which gambling on the Internet should be legalized for the first time. Proponents hope to get a hitherto largely illegal black market under control. Because so far the virtual casino operators could write billions in sales undisturbed. Last Friday, surprisingly, 15 licenses for sports betting providers were awarded in a separate procedure.

The new State Treaty on Gaming was last examined by the EU Commission, then has to be passed by the state parliaments and is to apply from July 2021. Until then, providers of online games of chance should prove in a kind of practical test that they are complying with the new law in advance. In contrast to sports betting, licenses do not yet exist. If these licenses are issued at a later date, they should be given preferential treatment.

For those who want to take part in the somehow legal industry ought to satisfy numerous criterium so that the gaming authorities won’t bother them. The federal states have provided 30 points that are intended to guarantee player protection online. For example, players must be regularly informed of how much money they have won or lost. No player may deposit more than 1000 euros per month across all providers. Anyone who advertises for players with virtual machines must also be connected to a nationwide player blocking file. With the help of a “panic button” players should be able to lock themselves on every game website for 24 hours. Roulette and blackjack are taboo in the future.

The responsible online supervisory authority does not yet exist – so who controls?

In some supervisory authorities, there is great displeasure with the country compromise – because it was determined on a unstable legal grounds. Some officials fear that they may be guilty of fraudulent behavior in office if they do not continue to crack down on online casinos without a license. The State Treaty on Gambling will come into force next summer at the earliest; until then, the offers will actually remain illegal gambling, i.e. relevant under criminal law.