Poker in Germany
In Germany, online poker is a very controversial topic. Until June 1st, 2021, this classic game was not clearly regulated and left many questions unanswered about most poker games. Only in one federal state was it already regulated. Schleswig-Holstein was the only federal state that was still allowed to have poker games without basic rules around regulation during the introductory phase of the new laws.
PLAY ONLINE POKER – TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER
After the “gambling regulation” of June 1st, 2021, the basic rules for these classic games were clearly regulated. The new poker laws set fixed tax rates for poker tournament and cash game players. Poker in Germany is only legal if played on licensed platforms. For this license, the poker platforms must adhere to many rules:
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- Play a maximum of 4 tables simultaneously
- Monthly deposit limit of €1,000
- No free choice of seat at the poker table
- Panic button to be blocked immediately for 24 hours
- German poker players will see a summary of their wins and losses from their poker games every time they log in
- Every 60 minutes there is a reminder in a pop-up window informing the player how long they have been playing poker online.
- Identity check upon registration: A valid passport, driver’s license, ID card and current proof of address (consumer billing) to verify player account
- Everything must be displayed in €.
- Poker providers pay 5.3% tax on all buy-ins made in cash games and tournaments.
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Do poker players have to pay taxes in Germany?
Due to the high taxes that a German poker player now has to pay, it has become extremely difficult to play any poker game profitably. This is also one of the reasons why many people decide to continue their online poker careers abroad. Austria is very popular for German players. June 1st, 2021 is therefore known as the day of death for online poker in Germany.
There is one exception, non-cash prize tournaments.
The only format of poker in public that is not considered a game of chance in Germany are tournaments with entry, also known as non-cash tournaments. The winner receives a non-cash prize that cannot be paid from the participation fees, essentially the opposite of free poker games. This variant lacks the stake feature and, according to German case law, it is therefore not a game of chance. However, the maximum participation fee is open, but at €15 you are usually protected as an organizer or participant of non-cash prize tournaments in Germany. The relevance of the application is then missing.
Poker in the casino is still possible here. Unfortunately, poker is not very popular in Germany. Due to the small number of any poker game, many poker players switch to casinos outside of Germany where Texas Hold’em poker and other poker games are offered. The Kings Casino in Rozvadov or the Grand Casino As in As are popular as a poker room.
Poker wave in Germany revitalized with Pius Heinz
Poker is becoming more and more popular in Germany. Most recently, there was a “poker hype” in 2011 after the German Pius Heinz won the WSOP Main Event. Pius Heinz is probably one of the most well-known German poker champions. So far he is the only German to have won the WSOP main event in Las Vegas. In 2011 he prevailed at the final table with a strong hand (King of Spades and Clubs versus 10 of Clubs and 7 of Clubs) against the remaining player, Czech Martin Staszko and secured prize pool of $8,715,368 USD.
Now the poker hype has been reignited after Koray Aldemir won the WSOP Main Event for $8.1 million.
How popular is online poker in Germany?
The popularity of playing online poker in Germany is well behind the USA, but it is still growing. So where does the great enthusiasm for online poker and other areas of gambling come from?
One reason is certainly the stable German economy, which gives people the opportunity to invest a little money in hobbies such as poker and gambling. Another reason is certainly that the Germans are very ambitious when it comes to sports or games of skill like chess or poker. You only need to know the basic rules of poker if want to gamble, or course you will not be successful in the long term if that is all you know. Poker is based on the element of good luck and bad luck in the short run, but in the long run the better poker player wins because of a better poker strategy as the game at its roots is based on mathematical probabilities.
Also due to the many lockdowns caused by Covid-19, the rush to online poker has increased. Many poker players who liked to play in casinos had to follow their Texas Holdem or other poker variants hobby online. Many people are deterred from playing poker because of the sometimes high stakes that are required to participate in a tournament in the casino, this is of course different in the online world. Due to the numerous range of micro/low stakes tournaments, new players can get a feel for the sport of poker with small stakes.
Conclusion
Poker is still one of the most popular games for many Germans. Many play in a poker game almost every day. Especially in the big online networks there is a lively rush in the evening to the Omaha and Texas Hold’em poker tables. But many also opt for the feeling at real games and go to the live cash games and poker tournaments that take place in almost all major cities.
A highlight for every young poker player in Germany is a visit to the casino at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin or to the casinos in Hamburg-Schenefeld, Dortmund-Hohensyburg or Wiesbaden and hit a winning hand in a poker game.
Koray Aldemir wins 2022 WSOP Main Event
Image by: PokerGO
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About the Author: UnleqitPsycho is a 22 year old poker player living in Cologne, Germany. He started playing poker at 18 and can be found mainly playing MTT’s and Spin & Golds.
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