# The best betting sites in Germany (2026)

> Tipico is the best betting site in Germany in 2026: it says it pays the 5.3% betting tax itself, so winning bets pay the full odds, and its app is the most popular in the country, rated 4.72 from more than 425,000 ratings. Winamax also pays the tax, Betano has the strongest bet builder and published limits, ODDSET answers around the clock, and bet-at-home publishes the clearest payment terms.

- URL: https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/
- Markdown version: https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/index.html.md
- Last updated: 2026-10-22 (re-checked when an operator changes its terms or a regulator or court acts)
- Author: SafeBet.ai Research Team (SafeBet.ai)
- How we rank: facts from regulators' registers, official texts and the operators' own pages (see Sources); scores are SafeBet.ai's editorial ratings — https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/how-we-rank/index.html.md
- Notice: Advertising. SafeBet.ai may be paid by the sportsbooks shown when you register through our links. We only link to sportsbooks licensed by the GGL and on its whitelist. 18+ only.
- Statutory warning: Glücksspiel kann süchtig machen. Die Teilnahme ist erst ab 18 Jahren erlaubt. Kostenlose und anonyme Hilfe: www.check-dein-spiel.de oder 0800 1 37 27 00. (English: Gambling can be addictive. You must be 18 or over to take part. Free, anonymous help: www.check-dein-spiel.de or 0800 1 37 27 00.)
- Editorial policy and advertiser disclosure: https://safebet.ai/editorial-policy/

Sports betting is legal in Germany only with operators licensed by the GGL. We ranked the five best licensed sportsbooks on licensing, markets and features, how they charge the 5.3% betting tax, payouts, apps and support, as of October 22, 2026. We only rank books whose tax handling we could verify in their own terms, help pages or app listings. We don't list bonuses or collect odds automatically.

## Our top 5 (October 2026)

1. **[Tipico](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/tipico-review/)** — Best overall (8.4/10): Germany's biggest betting brand pays the 5.3% betting tax itself, has the most-rated sportsbook app in the country and covers football down to the 3. Liga, online and in its shops.
2. **[Winamax](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/winamax-review/)** — Tax-free betting (8.3/10): A French sportsbook that advertises "0% Wettsteuer" on every page, with 25 sports, free streams on Winamax TV, €1 deposits by card or Apple Pay and an unusually wide range of limits.
3. **[Betano](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/betano-review/)** — Best app & bet builder (8.1/10): FC Bayern's betting partner, with a bet builder, cash out on singles and accumulators, published maximum winnings, and apps with more than 145,000 ratings.
4. **[ODDSET](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/oddset-review/)** — Support around the clock (8.0/10): A German betting brand since 1999, run from Munich, with chat, email and a free hotline around the clock, €5 deposits and no withdrawal fees, but a 5% charge on every winning payout.
5. **[bet-at-home](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/bet-at-home-review/)** — Published payment terms (7.9/10): A sportsbook licensed in Germany since 2020 that publishes every payment limit, charges no fees, processes withdrawals within 24 hours and only taxes winning bets.

## Comparison

| # | Sports betting site | Score | Licensed since | 5.3% betting tax | Sports | Features | Payments | Payout speed | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Tipico](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/tipico-review/) | 8.4/10 | Oct 2020 (online and retail) | Tipico pays it | Football to the 3. Liga, US sports, tennis, F1, handball & more | Live bets, cash out, long-term bets | Not checked (site blocked outside Germany) | Not checked (site blocked outside Germany) | iOS 4.7 · Android 4.7 |
| 2 | [Winamax](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/winamax-review/) | 8.3/10 | Jun 2021 | Winamax pays it ("0% Wettsteuer") | 25 sports, incl. football, basketball, ice hockey, tennis, darts | Free streams on Winamax TV, cash out, add to a placed bet | Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, PayPal, Klarna, Skrill, Neteller, paysafecard, bank transfer | To a bank account in your name; times not published | iOS 4.6 · Android 4.5 |
| 3 | [Betano](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/betano-review/) | 8.1/10 | Feb 2021 | Deducted from winning bets only | Football, tennis, basketball, NFL, volleyball & more | Bet builder, cash out (pre-match and live), MyLive | Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Klarna, cards, Betano Cash | Usually free; times not published | iOS 4.7 · Android 4.5 |
| 4 | [ODDSET](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/oddset-review/) | 8.0/10 | Nov 2020 (online and retail) | Keeps 5% of the payout on winning bets | Football (Bundesliga to 3. Liga), international leagues & more | Live bets, cash out, bet builder (selected sports) | PayPal, Tink transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, paysafecard | Reviewed within 48 hours; no fees | iOS 4.6 · Android 4.5 |
| 5 | [bet-at-home](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/bet-at-home-review/) | 7.9/10 | Nov 2020 | Deducted from winning bets only | Football, basketball, ice hockey, handball, darts & more | Bet builder, partial and automatic cash out, Re-Bet | Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Klarna, Trustly, Skrill, Neteller, paysafecard | Processed within 24 hours; no fees | iOS 4.3 · no Android app on Google Play |

## 1. Tipico — Best overall

Score: 8.4/10 · [Full review](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/tipico-review/) · [Alternatives](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/tipico-alternatives/)

Tipico is run by Tipico Co. Limited in Malta, licensed by the GGL for online and retail sports betting since the first licences of October 2020 (current licence of December 9, 2022). Its app listings say it pays the betting tax itself for customers in Germany, so winning bets pay the full odds. Its iOS app is rated 4.72 from 425,116 ratings and its Android app 4.65 from 92,168, the most of any sportsbook in Germany. It covers football from the Champions League to the 3. Liga, US sports, tennis, Formula 1 and handball, with live bets, long-term bets and cash out, and the Tipico Group runs more than 1,250 shops in Germany and Austria.

**Pros:** Pays the 5.3% betting tax itself for customers in Germany, according to its app listings; The most-rated sportsbook app in Germany: 4.72 from 425,116 ratings on iOS, 4.65 from 92,168 on Android; Bundesliga coverage down to the 3. Liga, plus long-term bets; Bets online and in retail shops; Licensed in Germany since the first licences of October 2020.

**Cons:** We couldn't check its payment methods, withdrawal times or support hours: its site blocks visitors outside Germany; Its app listings mention no bet builder or streaming.

## 2. Winamax — Tax-free betting

Score: 8.3/10 · [Full review](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/winamax-review/) · [Alternatives](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/winamax-alternatives/)

Winamax is run by WINAMAX SA in Paris, licensed by the GGL for online sports betting since June 29, 2021 (current licence of December 8, 2022). Every page advertises "0% Wettsteuer": Winamax pays the 5.3% betting tax itself. It listed 25 sports when we checked, from football and basketball to darts and biathlon, with free streams of selected games on Winamax TV, cash out and an option to add selections to a bet you've placed. Deposits start at €1 by Visa, Mastercard or Apple Pay, with no fees; withdrawals go to a bank account in your name. Support is by contact form and email around the clock, with no chat or phone.

**Pros:** Pays the 5.3% betting tax itself: "0% Wettsteuer"; 25 sports, with free streams of selected games on Winamax TV; Deposits from €1 by Visa, Mastercard or Apple Pay, with no fees; An unusually wide range of limits, including an automatic withdrawal threshold.

**Cons:** No live chat or phone line; Withdrawals only to a bank account; No published withdrawal times.

## 3. Betano — Best app & bet builder

Score: 8.1/10 · [Full review](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/betano-review/) · [Alternatives](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/betano-alternatives/)

Betano is licensed in Germany to Betkick Sportsbetting Limited in Malta, on the GGL whitelist for online sports betting since February 19, 2021 (current licence of December 16, 2022). Its terms deduct the 5.3% betting tax only from winning bets, set a €0.20 minimum stake and publish maximum winnings per market, up to €300,000 net per bet on top football competitions. It offers a bet builder, cash out before and during games, and its own MyLive page; its apps are rated 4.68 on iOS from 20,235 ratings and 4.48 on Android from 126,238. Deposits work with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Klarna and cards.

**Pros:** The tax is only deducted from winning bets; Bet builder and cash out on singles and accumulators, before and during games; Published maximum winnings, up to €300,000 per bet, and a €0.20 minimum stake; Apps rated 4.68 on iOS and 4.48 on Android, from more than 145,000 ratings.

**Cons:** Withdrawal times and support hours aren't published where we could check; Its terms name a different company than the GGL whitelist; Its app listings disagree on whether live streaming is available in Germany.

## 4. ODDSET — Support around the clock

Score: 8.0/10 · [Full review](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/oddset-review/) · [Alternatives](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/oddset-alternatives/)

ODDSET is run by ODDSET Sportwetten GmbH in Munich, licensed by the GGL for online and retail sports betting since November 18, 2020 (current licence of December 15, 2022). On every winning bet it keeps 5% of the gross payout (stake × odds), a charge it calls a "Quotenabschlag", so a winning €100 bet at odds of 2.00 pays back €190. It covers the Bundesliga down to the 3. Liga and the big international leagues, with live bets, cash out and a bet builder for selected sports. Deposits start at €5 by PayPal, Tink, cards or paysafecard, withdrawals carry no fees, and support runs around the clock by chat, email and a free hotline.

**Pros:** Support around the clock by chat, email and a free hotline; A German company in Munich, licensed for online and retail betting; Deposits from €5 and no withdrawal fees; A bet builder and cash out.

**Cons:** Keeps 5% of the gross payout on every winning bet, the most expensive tax approach in our ranking; Its help pages give two different sets of withdrawal times; Bet builder bets can't be cashed out or edited.

## 5. bet-at-home — Published payment terms

Score: 7.9/10 · [Full review](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/bet-at-home-review/) · [Alternatives](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/bet-at-home-alternatives/)

bet-at-home is run by Bet-at-home.com Internet Limited in Malta, licensed by the GGL for online sports betting since November 2, 2020 (current licence of December 22, 2022). Its terms deduct the 5.3% betting tax only from winning bets. It offers single, combination and system bets, a bet builder, live betting, and partial and automatic cash out. Deposits start at €10 by card, PayPal, Klarna, Trustly, Skrill, Neteller or paysafecard, with no fees; every withdrawal is processed within 24 hours, and e-wallets pay out right after. Chat runs daily from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

**Pros:** Publishes the minimum and maximum for every payment method, with no fees; Every withdrawal processed within 24 hours; e-wallets paid right after; The tax is only deducted from winning bets; Bet builder with partial and automatic cash out.

**Cons:** No sports app on Google Play, and its iOS app has under 2,000 ratings; No phone line, and chat closes at 9:30 p.m.; No streaming.

## Best for…

- **Best overall:** Tipico — Pays the betting tax itself, Germany's most popular betting app and Bundesliga markets down to the 3. Liga, online and in shops.
- **Tax-free betting:** Winamax — "0% Wettsteuer" on every page, 25 sports with free streams of selected games, and €1 deposits by card or Apple Pay.
- **Bet builder & app:** Betano — Bet builder, cash out on singles and accumulators, published maximum winnings and apps rated 4.68 and 4.48.
- **Support around the clock:** ODDSET — Chat, email and a free hotline 24/7, €5 deposits and no withdrawal fees, from a German operator.
- **Clear payment terms:** bet-at-home — Every payment limit published, no fees, and every withdrawal processed within 24 hours.

## How we rank

- **Licensing & safety (25%):** Is it licensed by the GGL and on its whitelist, and how clean is its record with the regulators?
- **Markets & features (20%):** How many sports and bet types are there, including the Bundesliga, and how good are live betting, bet builders and cash out within Germany’s limits on in-play bets?
- **Odds, tax & limits (15%):** How does it pass on the 5.3% betting tax, what does it publish about its margins, and how high are its maximum payouts?
- **Payments & payouts (15%):** Does it take PayPal, Klarna, Trustly, cards and paysafecard, what are the limits and fees, and how fast does it say withdrawals are paid?
- **App & experience (15%):** How do German bettors rate its iOS and Android apps, and how easy is it to find a market and build a bet?
- **Support & responsible gambling (10%):** Can you reach a person easily, and are limits, breaks and self-exclusion (OASIS) easy to find and use?

## How sports betting works in Germany

Sports betting is licensed nationwide by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL): 27 operators with 33 websites were on its whitelist on October 2, 2026. You must be 18 or over, and the same rules apply everywhere:

- **5.3% betting tax** on every stake, owed by the sportsbook, which decides whether to pass it on;
- **in-play bets only on the final result** and on the next goal, set or similar;
- **no bets on fouls, cards or penalties as sanctions**, on youth or amateur games, or on anything that isn't sport, such as elections;
- **a €1,000 monthly deposit limit** across all licensed sites, a 24-hour panic button and OASIS self-exclusion.

Our guide covers [the rules for sports betting in Germany](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/is-sports-betting-legal/) in detail.

## How the top five compare

| Sportsbook | Licensed since | 5.3% betting tax | €100 at 2.00 pays back | Withdrawals | App (iOS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tipico | Oct 2020 | Tipico pays it | €200 | Not checked | 4.72 (425,116) |
| Winamax | Jun 2021 | Winamax pays it | €200 | Bank only; times not published | 4.64 (2,680) |
| Betano | Feb 2021 | From winning bets only | €194.70 | Usually free; times not published | 4.68 (20,235) |
| ODDSET | Nov 2020 | 5% of the payout on winning bets | €190 | Reviewed within 48 hours; no fees | 4.61 (3,797) |
| bet-at-home | Nov 2020 | From winning bets only | €194.70 | Processed within 24 hours; no fees | 4.32 (1,803) |

## How we scored them

| Criterion | Weight | What we check |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing & safety | 25% | The GGL licence and the regulators' record |
| Markets & features | 20% | Sports and bet types, live betting within German limits, bet builders and cash out |
| Odds, tax & limits | 15% | How the book charges the 5.3% tax, what it publishes about margins, and its maximum payouts |
| Payments & payouts | 15% | Methods, minimums, fees and published withdrawal times |
| App & experience | 15% | How German bettors rate its iOS and Android apps |
| Support & responsible gambling | 10% | Chat, email and phone, hours, and limits, breaks and OASIS |

We only rank sportsbooks whose tax handling we could verify. bet365 and bwin are licensed in Germany, but their German help pages and terms block visitors from outside Germany, so we couldn't check how they charge the tax; Tipico's site does too, but its app listings state its tax policy plainly. We don't collect odds automatically, and we don't list or score bonuses, which need the GGL's approval to be advertised. The full method is in [how we rank sportsbooks in Germany](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/how-we-rank/).

## What betting really costs

A sportsbook builds a margin into every price, and in Germany the betting tax can come on top. At odds of 1.90 on both sides of a market, the book keeps about 5% of everything staked over time. A book that deducts the 5.3% tax from winning bets adds about another 2.7% at those odds, and one that keeps 5% of every winning payout adds about 4.8%. Our [betting tax calculator](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/betting-tax-calculator/) works out the total for any market and shows which of two books pays more.

## Staying safe

- **Check the whitelist.** Only the .de addresses on the GGL's list are licensed. Our [sportsbook licence check](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/licence-check/) searches it for you.
- **Avoid offshore books.** A foreign licence doesn't count in Germany, and if an unlicensed book refuses to pay, there's no German regulator to complain to.
- **No bets on politics.** Bets on elections and other non-sports events can't be licensed in Germany, whether a bookmaker or a prediction market offers them. See [are prediction markets legal in Germany?](https://safebet.ai/de/guides/are-prediction-markets-legal-in-germany/)

## Taxes

Private bettors pay no income tax on winnings in Germany; the 5.3% tax is on stakes and owed by the sportsbook. See [gambling taxes in Germany](https://safebet.ai/de/guides/gambling-taxes-germany/).

## Betting responsibly

Most bettors lose over time, because the margin and the tax work against every bet. Set a deposit limit before your first bet, never chase losses, and stop if it isn't fun. The BIÖG helpline on 0800 1 37 27 00 is free and anonymous; our [guide to gambling help in Germany](https://safebet.ai/de/guides/gambling-help-germany/) covers OASIS self-exclusion and more.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best betting site in Germany?

[Tipico](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/tipico-review/), for most bettors: it pays the betting tax itself, has the country's most popular app and covers the Bundesliga down to the 3. Liga. [Winamax](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/winamax-review/) is the other tax-free option in our ranking.

### Which betting sites pay the betting tax for you?

Of the sportsbooks in our ranking, Tipico and Winamax say they pay the 5.3% tax themselves for German customers. Betano and bet-at-home deduct it from winning bets only, and ODDSET keeps 5% of the gross payout on winning bets. Our [betting tax calculator](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/betting-tax-calculator/) shows what each approach costs you.

### Is sports betting legal in Germany?

Yes, with operators licensed by the GGL: 27 held a sports betting licence on October 2, 2026. You must be 18 or over, and every bet is taxed at 5.3% of the stake. See [is sports betting legal in Germany?](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/is-sports-betting-legal/)

### Why aren't bet365 and bwin in your ranking?

Both are licensed in Germany, but their German help pages and terms block visitors from outside Germany, so we couldn't verify how they charge the betting tax, which is central to our scores. We'll review them when we can.

### Can I bet live in Germany?

Yes, but only on the final result and on the next goal, set or similar during a game (§ 21 Abs. 4 GlüStV 2021). Bets on cards, corners or other single events in play aren't allowed.

### Do I pay tax on my betting winnings?

No, not as a private bettor. The betting tax is a tax on stakes owed by the sportsbook. See [gambling taxes in Germany](https://safebet.ai/de/guides/gambling-taxes-germany/).

### How do you rank sportsbooks in Germany?

We score each sportsbook from 0 to 10 on licensing and safety (25%), markets and features (20%), odds, tax and limits (15%), payments and payouts (15%), app and experience (15%), and support and responsible gambling (10%), and the ranking follows the overall scores. Only GGL-licensed sportsbooks are eligible. See [how we rank sportsbooks in Germany](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/how-we-rank/).

## Guides

- [Is sports betting legal in Germany? Licences, the 5.3% tax and the rules](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/is-sports-betting-legal/): Yes. Sports betting is legal across Germany with operators licensed by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL): 27 held a licence on October 2, 2026, for adults 18 and over. Every bet is taxed at 5.3% of the stake, paid by the operator, which may pass it on to you or absorb it. In-play betting is limited to the final result and the next goal, set or similar, and bets on cards, penalties as sanctions or youth and amateur games aren't allowed.
- [How we rank sports betting sites in Germany](https://safebet.ai/de/sports-betting/how-we-rank/): We only rank sportsbooks licensed by the GGL, and only those whose way of charging the 5.3% betting tax we could verify. Each is scored from 0 to 10 on six weighted criteria, licensing and safety, markets and features, odds, tax and limits, payments and payouts, app and experience, and support and responsible gambling, and the ranking follows the overall scores. We don't collect odds automatically or score bonuses.

## Sources

1. [Übersicht erlaubter Anbieter (Whitelist)](https://www.gluecksspiel-behoerde.de/de/fuer-spielende/uebersicht-erlaubter-anbieter-whitelist) — Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, last updated 2026-10-02; accessed 2026-10-22
2. [Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (§ 21, consolidated text)](https://www.gluecksspiel-behoerde.de/images/pdf/20250131_Konsolidierte%20Fassung%20des%20GluStV%202021%20mit%20Anderungen%20von%202022.pdf) — Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, accessed 2026-10-22
3. [Rennwett- und Lotteriegesetz (§§ 16–21, Sportwettensteuer)](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/rennwlottg_2021/BJNR206510021.html) — Bundesministerium der Justiz, accessed 2026-10-22
4. [GGL Activity Report 2025](https://www.gluecksspiel-behoerde.de/images/pdf/jahresberichte/260907_GGL_Tatigkeitsbericht_2025-ENG_final%20.pdf) — Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, 2026-07-03
5. [Öffentliche Abmahnungen](https://www.gluecksspiel-behoerde.de/de/fuer-spielende/oeffentliche-abmahnungen) — Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, updated 2026-07-08; accessed 2026-10-22