After long negotiations, a new State Treaty on Gaming has come into force. It mainly contains regulations for online casinos. Which points are important.

Is gambling in online casinos legal? Hardly anyone could answer this question in recent years, because the legal situation as well as different statements from casino operators, players and self-proclaimed professionals caused confusion.

The answer, by the way, is no. In Germany, online gambling was illegal (with the exception of Schleswig-Holstein). The new online casino law will now put an end to the chaos. Clear targets and measures are to regulate the market throughout Germany from July 2021 – and, at least on paper, make it a safe place for players.

1. new online casino law legalizes gambling in Germany

The new State Treaty on Gambling 2021 officially legalizes gambling nationwide for the first time. The treaty came into force on July 1, 2021. It exists between all 16 federal states in Germany and regulates the handling of casino games and sports betting. For the first time, all online casinos in Germany will have the opportunity to acquire a German license and legally offer their slot games. Likewise, players residing in Germany are allowed to register at an online gaming arcade and play for real money.

2. legal situation before: gambling was prohibited until then

The legal situation in the gambling industry has often caused confusion. While there was an official ban according to German law, people still played for real money in online gambling halls and more and more providers opened their casinos. The trigger for this was EU case law. Because according to this, gambling with luck is legal as long as there is a valid EU license. This created a supposed legal gray area, because some were of the opinion that the German law violated the European freedom to provide services and thus gambling in online casinos was allowed after all. Most casino operators are therefore based in Malta or Gibraltar and offer their casino games to German players from there. However, there are now supreme court rulings, which confirmed the ban on online gambling until the entry of the new law in July 2021 in Germany.

3. drafting and ratification of the new treaty.

As early as May 2020, the draft law for the new state treaty was submitted for notification by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. After that, the so-called standstill period kicks in. During this period until August 2020, no changes were allowed to be made to the treaty and the EU Commission and EU member states had the opportunity to comment on the new law. In order for the new legal basis to gain official validity, the draft was signed by the minister presidents of the German states and ratified in the state parliaments after the end of the standstill period.

4. the objectives of the GlüStV 2021

The goals of the new online casino law are clearly defined. The top priority is a uniform legal basis throughout Germany as well as player safety. Appropriate measures and regular controls are intended to combat fraud, manipulation, gambling addiction and crime in the gambling industry, thus making online casinos a safe place.

Prevention of gambling addiction

One of the biggest problems in the game of chance is the potential for addiction. If players do not get help, not only psychological but also enormous financial damage can be the result. For this reason, all online casino providers will have to develop a social concept in the future that promotes responsible gaming and outlines the necessary assistance to prevent and combat addiction.

Player and youth protection

The GlüStV now provides uniform rules, compliance with which is to be monitored by means of regular inspections. This aspect plays an important role, especially with regard to the protection of minors. Legalization is intended to prevent the emergence and spread of unauthorized games of chance in black markets and thus significantly increase security for players.

Fair competitive conditions through unlimited concessions

While there was previously only an official German gambling license in Schleswig-Holstein, the new online casino law allows providers nationwide to apply for a German license. As there are no restrictions on the awarding of licenses, the same conditions apply to all market participants.

How often do you wait your turn at the ticket counter, in the waiting room or in the supermarket queue to get your turn as quickly as possible? But just staring into the air makes waiting times feel even longer. Game apps for cell phones offer a way out. Annoying waiting times or even the daily journeys in public transport can be significantly shortened with mobile gaming. The variety of mobile games is now almost unlimited. Whether action hero, sports fanatic, strategy tinkerer or master of dexterity – there are smartphone games for every taste.

Homeescapes – From the dump to the dream villa

Content of the free games app: The lovable butler Austin is facing a serious dilemma: his beautiful old family villa has its best days long gone and therefore needs a major renovation. This is where the player’s task begins, helping Austin in the role of interior designer to restore the villa to its former glory.

To do this, the player has to solve various little logic games (so-called match 3 games), for which he receives coins. These can then be invested in chic new furnishings in Austin’s villa. In this way you can furnish the villa piece by piece according to your own wishes – for this purpose there is a huge selection with thousands of design options available. To complete the renovation work, you also solve little games in which you have to arrange three identical objects in a row of three. While you beautify the villa according to your personal taste, you will also learn new and exciting chapters and secrets from Austin’s family history.

Homescapes is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Bubble Witch 3 Saga – The adventurous smartphone game with witch Stella

In this game of skill you have to help the witch Stella to free the owls and fairies imprisoned by the evil Wilbur. This is achieved by making as many colorful bubbles as possible burst in so-called bubble-shooter puzzles – and thereby helping the owls trapped in some bubbles to freedom.

Together with Stella you travel through twenty varied chapters in the magic realm and are occasionally supported by other characters equipped with special abilities. Further variety is provided by various additional tasks. The smartphone game can be played alone or with friends over an internet connection.

The game Bubble Witch 3 Saga can be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store.

Flip Master App – The coolest trampoline tricks

Trampoline jumping is much more than just jumping. This becomes clear at the latest when you perform your first spectacular somersault or flick flack in the trampoline game Flip Master. By constantly honing your skills on the trampoline with different, customizable characters and learning new cool jumps, a real addiction factor quickly develops. Thanks to the latest graphic technologies, an authentic gaming experience quickly emerges.

New places where the trampoline is placed, as well as gradually unlockable skills and new tricks provide variety. Using so-called „power-ups“, i.e. additional objects on the trampoline, jumps become even more spectacular. The coolest tricks and moves can even be recorded to show them to friends later.

Flip Master is also available for iOS and Android.

Clash Royale – Captivating strategy battles in multiplayer game

Fancy medieval battles with strategic elements? Then the Game Clash Royale is just the thing! The game offers a real eSports experience on the smartphone. Here you fight over the Internet against real multiplayer opponents for victory. The game principle is simple and quick to learn. Two players always face each other as opponents in a virtual arena with three castles on each side. The goal is to level the opponent’s three castles to the ground or at least to inflict as much damage as possible on them – and thereby achieve victory! Players have three minutes per battle, which makes the game dynamic.

The attacks on the opponent are started with the help of card decks that the players have put together themselves beforehand. Each card stands for a specific combat unit: for example, archers, dragons or knights. When a card is placed on the battlefield, the corresponding combat unit immediately appears and attacks the opponent. The enemy will of course counter with his own units. Obstacles and special attacks make every skirmish even more exciting. For battles won, you receive rewards that unlock new combat units and special abilities. This way, motivation does not fall by the wayside.

Clash Royal can be downloaded for iPhones in the App Store as well as in the Google Play Store.

Score! Hero – The free soccer game for Smartphone

Attention soccer fans: The free mobile game Score! Hero brings the round leather to your smartphone. In more than 540 diverse levels, you kick yourself to become a soccer hero in this game. The matches are divided into individual rounds, so that you have to fight your way past the opponents with precise passes, crosses with pinpoint accuracy or powerful free kicks, round after round, up to the opponent’s goal. All that is missing now is a precise shot into the goal and victory is within reach.

In general, the smooth gameplay and dynamic 3D graphics ensure an appealing gaming experience. Additional motivation is generated by the personalization options for your own soccer player. Their appearance can be designed individually. Then you can give your player stylish soccer shoes and the matching back number. In this way, you are also visually fit for a steep career up to the virtual national team.

Score! Hero is available for download in the App Store and in the Google Play Store.69

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