Germany’s legislature has approved new gambling regulations, and given approval for the creation of a new regulatory body, the Glücksspielneuregulierungstaatsvertrag (GlüNeuRStv). This will make it so that if ratified by each state parliament and the Euopean Commission, effective July 1, online poker and casino-style games will become legal for the first time in the country.

In addition to poker and sports betting, other casino-style games will be offered as well. This will allow for slots, but they will only be allowed to be offered under some very strict guidelines. Slots, for example, will be limited to a €1 per spin stake limit, and a mandatory €1000 deposit limit was also established.

Sports betting will also have some new guidelines. This will include limiting live betting on the final result or who will be the next scorer.

The GlüNeuRStv will have regulatory authority over the new gambling initiatives. This will include the issuing of licenses, working with local state bodies.