Germany's 2025 Gambling Survey: What the Results Mean for Online Casino Players

Germany's Biggest Gambling Study in Years

Germany published results from its German Gambling Survey 2025 this month — one of the most comprehensive looks at gambling behaviour the country has produced. More than 12,000 residents aged 16 to 70 were surveyed between August and November 2025. The findings give a clearer picture of who gambles, how often, and where the risks are concentrated.

Participation Has Stayed Broadly Stable

Around 36.4% of respondents said they had gambled at least once in the past year. That figure has remained largely unchanged since 2021, which suggests Germany's regulatory reforms — introduced after the country restructured its gambling laws — have not dramatically altered overall participation rates in either direction.

Men gambled more than women (40.4% vs 32.4%), and participation rose with age, peaking in the 56–70 group. Around 11.7% of respondents gambled at least weekly.

Where the Risk Is Concentrated

The headline stability figure masks some sharper patterns underneath. Using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, 2.2% of adults met the threshold for a gambling disorder. A further 5.5% were classified as at-risk.

The highest disorder rates were found among:

• Online slot players (32.5% of those classified as high-risk)
• Physical slot machine users (23.4%)
• Live sports bettors (27%)

Younger adults aged 18–35 showed the highest prevalence of gambling disorders overall. Players who engaged in four or more types of gambling had nearly double the risk indicators compared to those who stuck to one product.

Self-Exclusion Is Growing

Germany's national OASIS self-exclusion register has grown steadily since the regulatory overhaul, approaching 350,000 registered users within four years. Awareness of age restrictions is high — 85% of respondents knew gambling was banned under 18, and 92% supported that rule.

Awareness of tools like deposit limits, advertising restrictions and staff training is lower, though public acceptance of those measures has increased since 2021.

What This Means for Players

The survey reinforces what responsible gambling advocates have said for some time: online slots and multi-product gambling carry the highest risk profiles. Players who are aware of their own habits — and who use available tools like deposit limits, session reminders and self-exclusion — are better positioned to keep gambling recreational.

If you play at licensed casinos, those tools should be available in your account settings. Using them is not a sign of a problem. It is a sign of playing with intention.

For support with gambling-related harm, contact the national helpline in your country or visit the responsible gambling section on this site.