Germany - GlüStV: slots and limits

Products and Regulatory Perimeter

Allowed online: virtual slots, online poker.
Special mode: virtual board games (roulette/blackjack, etc.) are allowed only by land decisions and are more often associated with ground concessions/lottery operators.
Prohibited for slots: progressive jackpots, functions with uncertain wins, "fast" modes.

OASIS and LUGAS - Centralized Systems

OASIS is a unified state register of self-exclusion (self-prohibition applies to licensed online and offline formats). OASIS verification is required before admission to the game and for any marketing touches.
LUGAS - centralized counter and control of inter-operator limits (including monthly deposit-ceiling). All licensees are required to connect to LUGAS to synchronize player limits and statuses.

Limits and behavioural measures (core for slots)

Maximum bet: €1 per spin.
Game speed: at least 5 seconds per spin ("turbo "/fast modes excluded).
Autospin: not allowed.
Parallel game: prohibition of running several slots/windows at the same time (simultaneous play of several machines is not allowed).
Jackpots: Progressive/net jackpots are not allowed.
Monthly deposit-ceiling (cross-operator): €1,000 by default, taken into account by LUGAS.
"Panic button": instant self-blocking for at least 24 hours.
Reality checks and timeouts: regular pop-up reminders, mandatory pauses/cooldowns according to the regulations.
Lending: a ban on lending to players and on paying off debt.
CUS/age: Rigorous identity/age verification before deposit and play.

Advertising and Marketing

Advertising communication should be moderate, with the exclusion of minors and vulnerable groups; warnings and RG markings are mandatory.
Restrictions on channels, formats and time windows (including restrictions in the "early" time and next to sensitive categories of content).
Aggressive incentives, misleading promises and creatives that push "fast" play are prohibited.
Responsibility extends to the entire chain: operator - affiliates - media platforms.

Taxation and fees

Online slots and poker: 5.3% from betting turnover (turnover tax) - charged on amounts wagered by players (not GGR), which affects the final RTP, promo design and commercial model.
Additionally: national corporate taxes, trade fees, land licensing duties - according to the applicable regime.
For sports betting, there is its own tax contour (separate from the "slot" 5.3%).

Technical Requirements and Reporting

Connection to LUGAS and integration with OASIS - mandatory; failure/failure of integration is tantamount to gross violation.
Logging and immutability of data: transactions, sessions, limits, status changes, RG events.
Data storage and transfer - according to German information security and privacy standards; readiness for unscheduled inspections.
Demonstrating control over RTP, volatility and "speed" of the game cycle is the subject of a technical audit.

Practical checklist for market entry

Legal and license

1. Define the perimeter (slots, poker; tabletop - according to earth solutions).
2. Prepare dossiers on beneficiaries and key persons; set up RG/AML/KYC processes prior to submission.

Integrations and IT

3) Realize connection to OASIS (checks before registration/logins/a deposits/communications).
4) Integrate LUGAS: accounting for a monthly limit of €1,000, synchronization of statuses and panic locks.
5) Ensure slot core match: €1 max bet, ≥5 s/spin, no autospin, no jackpots, no parallel play.
6) Build a log/reporting system: sessions, deposits/withdrawals, bonus obligations, limits and RG events.

Marketing & Affiliates

7) Policy of "moderate" advertising: age filters, locks for OASIS profiles, control of creatives and claims.
8) Tough contracts with affiliates: responsibility for targeting, positioning and correctness of offers.

Finance and taxes

9) Recalculate P&L at 5.3% from rate turnover: Impact on RTP/margin/bonuses and sewer.
10) Separate accounting of player funds, jackpots (if applicable for other verticals), bonuses and operating funds.

Frequent operator errors

Non-compliance with "speed" and max bet in slots, inclusion of autospin/" turbo."

Non-accounting of the inter-operator limit of €1,000/month. (traversal attempts without LUGAS).
Advertising touches of self-excluded players and weak control of affiliates.
Ignoring logging of RG events and timeouts.
Incorrect pricing with 5.3% turnover tax (RTP/promo model errors).

Trends 2025 +

Further calibrating advertising and behavioral monitoring requirements, focusing on protecting new and vulnerable players.
Discussions on the effectiveness of the 5.3% turnover tax for sewers (pressure on RTP and margins remains a matter of debate).
Technical "digitization" of supervision: deepening telemetry, automation of reporting and point regulatory updates.

Conclusion

The German online market provides access to a large and solvent audience, but requires impeccable discipline: OASIS + LUGAS, strict slot limits (€/spin, speed, prohibitions), strict advertising and 5.3% sales tax. Operators able to embed these requirements at the platform and product economics level receive stable jurisdiction with clear rules and high expectations for player protection.