The German state of Baden-Württemberg has announced that it will expand its state gambling service to offer online casino games.
The state executive of Stuttgart has submitted its authorisation notice to the Ministry of the Interior and Glücksspielbehörde (GGL), the Federal Gambling Authority of Germany.
The authorities were informed of Baden-Württemberg’s plans to add the online casino games of roulette and blackjack to be offered by its state lottery, Lotto BW.
The laws of the Fourth Interstate Gambling Treaty (GlüNeuRStV) allow for Bundesländer (federal states) to operate individual online gambling services, on the condition that they are managed by an existing State Toto-Lotto GmbH.
For Baden-Württemberg, its casino venture is operated by the state licence of Lotto BW, which in 2023 was granted a licence to operate online slots, restricted to a €1 stake limit per spin and a 5% stake tax.
The Interstate Treaty differentiates between online casino games, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and virtual slot games. Each federal state has the authority to either grant a limited number of licenses to operators or establish a state monopoly for offering casino games. As a result, some states may choose to prohibit providers from offering roulette, blackjack, or baccarat.
Lotto BW will become the third state lottery to offer a full casino service under GlüNeuRStV rules following Lotto Bavaria and Lotto Schleswig-Holstein, which received their respective authorisations in April and September 2024.
The Bundesländer’s application cited: “Experience with the State Toto-Lotto GmbH Baden-Württemberg shows that regulatory notices are implemented quickly and without legal disputes.
“This is increasingly necessary for online casino games, which are said to have a significantly higher addictive potential than lotteries.”
With the authorisation granted, Lotto BW will move forward with the technical and operational setup of its online casino platform. Industry experts expect the platform to be fully operational by mid-2025, offering regulated and monitored access to roulette and blackjack for residents of Baden-Württemberg.