The online sports betting space in both the UK and Germany is large, and growing. While there are some differences, it is fair to say the UK and Germany have more in common than they have differences.
These are two countries that love sports, and have huge industries surrounding football and other popular sporting events, but the two take a different approach to restrictions.
Sports betting restrictions
In the UK, a legal online gambling market has existed for decades. Some other European countries have recently found a problem with black market gambling, and restrictions have been put in place to try and govern and prevent issues.
The Netherlands and Sweden are two countries that have put a focus on stricter rules.
Germany has followed with some recent changes. In 2021, laws around the gambling industry were changed. Historically, there was a very different system in Germany, with each state responsible for its own gambling restrictions. Now, Germany has an interstate agreement so that rules are standardised.
Germany’s restrictions to sports betting are very different to those of the UK, although you’ll still find a selection of signup bonuses and a choice of casinos and sports on sites such as Wettbonus.net in Germany.
Live streaming
In the UK, you will find many different betting companies offering live streams. In some cases, you need to place a bet on an event to be eligible to watch a stream.
In Germany, you won’t find the same offered. Gambling companies are not allowed to offer live streaming of sports.
Five-minute delay switching to another vendor
The German authorities have also imposed delays when switching between gambling companies. You will encounter a five-minute delay when you try to load a different betting site. This is a measure taken to restrict problem gambling.
Limited in-play gambling
German gambling laws also state that there are restrictions on in-play gambling. There are not as many options for in-play markets compared to those you would find in the UK. The UK also has over 800 different sportsbook markets, and you won’t find this same level of choice in Germany.
Criticism of gambling restrictions
German restrictions have been met with criticism as some operators and gambling companies say that it makes them less attractive to potential gamblers, and more likely for revenue to be pushed offshore.
Gambling restrictions in the UK are a little more lenient, though there is still a lot of focus on preventing gambling from becoming a problem, and betting companies have to offer measures such as “time outs” and “reality check” reminders to keep gambling in check.
The regulated market is vital, and gambling companies have to be restricted to help avoid corruption in the sports industries and ensure that gambling is fair for everyone.
Regulation is equally important for games that are more based on chance and luck. Unlike in gaming, where you can work on your skills, some forms of gambling rely totally on chance, and regulating them ensures that everyone has a fair and equal chance.
Similarities between online sports legislation in the UK and Germany
There are many similarities between the two. Both have methods of restricting the industry and ensuring that corrupt practises are kept to a minimum. For instance, both countries come down very hard on suspicious gambling patterns to try and prevent people from manipulating the markets.
Both countries have restricted markets. In Germany, this was traditionally done at state level in the 16 different areas, but the Interstate Treaty ensures that restrictions are now universally applied. In the UK, it is the job of the Gambling Commission, on behalf of the government, to regulate all forms of gambling and this includes sports betting.
Both German and UK gambling companies have grown massively, and one similarity is the ability for bettors to gamble anywhere. There are now no significant gambling restriction changes in different parts of either country. That means you can open your phone and access an app wherever and whenever you see fit, and find in-play and upcoming events to gamble on.
Conclusion
Sports and gambling are huge in both of these countries. Though the UK is no longer part of the EU, there are still many similarities in the way most European countries handle gambling, and this means both the UK and Germany have a lot in common. It is fair to say that Germany is slightly stricter and this means that you may find fewer in-play markets, for example. Gambling is a key economic area in both countries, and though restrictions may change, this is likely to be in the direction of leniency.
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