Germany’s licensed gambling operators contribute €2.5bn in taxes in 2025
Licensed gambling operators in Germany paid €2.46 billion in taxes to the budget for 2025, 1% less than a year earlier. Despite an overall decline in tax revenues from gambling in 2025, the market showed growth in the final quarter thanks to sports betting and online casino operators.
For the year as a whole, lottery operators paid €1.79 billion and bookmakers €419.5 million, respectively, representing a 1% decrease compared to 2024. Online slots grew by 1% and contributed €214.6 million to the German state budget, while online poker declined by 7% to €33 million. The horse racing sector contributed €6.4 million, compared to €6.5 million a year earlier.
Bookmakers became the growth driver
According to Gaming Intelligence, tax revenues rose by 1% in the fourth quarter to €640.1 million. The main driver of the market was a 14% increase in tax revenues from sports betting operators to €121 million. At the same time, lotteries reduced their payouts by 3% to €452.2 million compared to the previous year. Online slots increased by 7% to €55 million, while online poker grew by 18% compared to the same period in 2024 to €10.1 million.
Comparison of German gambling tax revenues 2024/2025 (€)
Source: Gaming Intelligence.
The third quarter of 2025 generated the lowest-yielding in terms of tax revenues for Germany. Licensed German operators paid €559.5 million in gambling tax, which is 6% less than in the same quarter last year. This was the lowest quarterly total of 2025.
Tax revenues in products (€ million)
Source: Gaming Intelligence.
In particular, tax revenues from lotteries in the third quarter fell by 2% to €418.9 million, the lowest quarterly figure in two years. At the same time, German lotteries accounted for 75% of the total taxes collected in the third quarter of 2025.
Revenues from sports betting in the third quarter fell by 24% to €76.9 million and accounted for 14% of the total quarterly figure. In comparison, the corresponding figure for horse racing fell by 5% to €1.9 million.
GGL’s fight against the illegal market
The growth of the illegal market has a significant impact on the state of the legal gambling sector in Germany. In September 2025, the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) noted that the number of illegal gambling sites significantly exceeds the number of licensed operators. In this regard, the German Gambling Regulatory Authority (GGL) called on licensed operators to take more active measures to combat illegal online gambling. The call was made during the ICE exhibition in Barcelona.
According to Tribuna, during the Gaming in Germany Breakfast event, GGL’s Head of Enforcement Nadja Wierzejewski presented a strategy for combating the illegal market. She emphasised that the regulator is applying a set of measures aimed at putting pressure on the black market. These include prohibitive orders, blocking payments and IP addresses, and actions against advertising illegal offers. The regulator also pursues consistent prosecution of all participants in illicit activities throughout the chain.
At the same time, GGL called on licensed operators to make more active use of their own tools to counter illegal offers. According to the regulator, legal companies have in-depth knowledge of the market, influence over the supply chain and direct links to service providers.
Apparent distancing from illegal offers and more careful selection of partners can significantly enhance the effectiveness of supervisory measures, GGL noted.
The regulator emphasised that the fight against illegal online gambling is only possible through joint action. Licensed operators and their partners are seen as key allies in ensuring a stable and sustainable legal gambling market in Germany.
This article was first published in Russian on 2 February 2026.
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