Best live dealer casinos for players from Germany 

Background

A discussion of the regulatory framework with respect to online gambling in Germany, has to start with a consideration of over-arching EU law which dictates that EU members should not engage in protectionist practices with regard to service provision.  According to the European Commission (EC) and European Court of Justice (ECJ) rulings, the freedom to provide services provisions of EU law do apply to online gambling services, meaning that where a country offers a locally based online gambling product (state run lottery etc), it cannot ban access by residents to similar services provided by other EU members.

Current laws in Germany with respect to online gambling (Interstate Gambling Treaty) ban all foreign online gambling operators while permitting the State owned gambling monopoly to accept online bets.  The Interstate Gambling Treaty imposes obligations on ISP's to block illegal online gambling websites and also requires that banks restrict payments made to such sites.

At the time of writing, current German laws with respect to online gambling were under review by the EC for breaches of EU law.  German players may currently encounter difficulties accessing and transacting with online gambling operators including those listed below.

[update 27 January 2010]

Ruling on a referred legal dispute between Winner Wetten GmbH and EU Advocate-General Yves Bot reaffirmed the principle of pre-eminence - that is, German national court must follow EU legal precedent and more specifically to the case at hand, cannot endorse an unjustified restriction on the freedom to provide services (including online gambling services).  An unjustified restriction includes a situation were a local monopoly is allowed to accept bets while foreign operators are prohibited by reason of preventing problem gambling.  The Advocate General's decision is not binding on the ECJ, but is usually influential.  The decision has been celebrated by the pro-online gambling lobby.

Best live casino for German players

The below casinos offer German language website and support capabilities.  Some offer toll free phone support for players from Germany.

Casinos	Player access	Banking	Toll free support	Local language	Games
Read review   I   Visit	No restrictions on sign -ups from Germany	No deposit restrictions. Maintain account in € EURO	Yes	Full Deutsche language website and support capability	European based dealer room with Euro centric games
Read review  I  Visit	No restrictions on German player sign-ups	No deposit restrictions. Maintain account in € EURO	No	Full German language website and support capability	European based dealer room with Euro centric games.
Read review  I  Visit	No restrictions on German player sign-ups	No deposit restrictions. Maintain account in € EURO	Yes	Full German language website and support capability	Asian based dealer studio including blackjack, baccarat, roulette and baccarat variations.
Read review  I  Visit	No restrictions on German player sign-ups	No deposit restrictions. Maintain account in € EURO	No	Full German language website and support capability	European based dealer room with Euro centric games
Read review   I   Visit	No restrictions on German player sign-ups	No deposit restrictions. Maintain account in € EURO	No	Full German language website and support capability	European based dealer room with Euro centric games

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