Prospects for cryptocasino

Cryptocurrencies have entered the mainstream of European financial markets, but for gambling in Germany it is still a "red zone." The German model of regulation, built on the basis of the Interland Gambling Agreement GlüStV 2021, divides: who and what can offer players how to advertise and through what payments to conduct operations. In this design, cryptocasinos remain outside the permitted field, and the prospects for their "whitewashing" by 2026 are doubtful.

1) Legal context: who is responsible for what

Gambling is regulated by the joint land regulator GGL: licenses, product limits, advertising, execution (blocking/sanctions). In 2024-2025, GGL significantly increased pressure on the illegal online segment and began to use public warnings and other coercive measures.

Cryptoservices (exchanges, custodians, stablecoin issuers) fall under the European MiCA regulation with the requirement of authorization (in Germany - from BaFin) from December 30, 2024. This is not a gambling license, but a financial regime for crypto assets.

2) Payments: "narrow neck" for cryptocasino

Even if the crypto operator complies with MiCA, payment in favor of unlicensed gambling remains prohibited. German courts have upheld the regulator's right to seek international payment blocks for unlicensed offers. The practice of 2024-2025 has strengthened precisely payment and host-oriented (rather than purely IP) control.

3) Advertising and traffic attraction: filter "at the entrance"

From September 25, 2024, Google allows only those who are certified/licensed by GGL (operators and brokers/affiliates) to advertise gambling in Germany. This sharply narrowed the channels for purchasing traffic for cryptocasino and "gray" partners.

4) MiCA ≠ legalization of cryptocasino

MiCA introduces uniform rules for the crypto industry, but does not abolish national bans/restrictions on gambling. Moreover, European supervisory authorities have narrowed the possibility of "bypassing" through reverse-solicitation: any active communication in the EU (website, application, influencers) is interpreted as marketing, not "client initiative." BaFin makes it clear that it will strictly suppress the work of unregulated cryptoservices in the German audience.

5) Product restrictions and "sewerage"

The very structure of the "white" market (limit of 1 € per spin, ≥5 seconds between spins, ban on progressive jackpots, etc.) is often criticized as the reason for the leak to illegal immigrants. But the regulator's answer is not liberalization for crypt, but strengthening execution: blocking, suppression of advertising, control of payment flows and domain hosts.

6) Risks to players and industry

For players: the lack of age filters, limits and OASIS locks among illegal immigrants increases the risks of addiction, especially among young people - this is a constant GGL focus.

For affiliates and media: working with cryptocasino targeting Germany carries compliance risks (advertising + payments). Given the platform filters and the position of the regulator, the monetization of such traffic is degrading.

7) What could change by 2026?

• Refinement of execution tools (payment/host locks, cross-border harassment), and not a "license for cryptocasino."
• Cross-linking of MiCA and gambling supervision: BaFin and GGL will coordinate cases where cryptoservices are used to bypass GlüStV.
• Possible point product pilots in the "white" segment (not about crypt, but about UX/slot parameters) as part of the sewerage policy - the topic is debatable and not guaranteed.

8) "Playbook" operator: what to do legally

If you are a licensed operator in Germany, accepting cryptocurrency directly for the game is risky legally and operationally; basic payment rails - identified accounts in AML entities.

If you are a cryptoservice (wallet/exchange) operating in the EU: get MiCA authorization from BaFin/in the EU and exclude transactions in favor of unlicensed gambling for German residents (geo/merchants/fraud rules).

If you are an affiliate/media focused on DE: without GGL certification and binding to licensed brands, access to key advertising channels is closed. Don't mess with cryptocasinos targeting Germany.

9) Withdrawal

On October 25, 2025, the prospects for the appearance of "legal cryptocasino" in Germany remain in question. MiCA does formalize the crypto-asset market, but it does not open the door to crypto-gambling. German vector - player protection + execution: ad filters, payment/host locks and interagency coordination. As long as these pillars remain unchanged, any attempt to "whitewash" cryptocasino without a full-fledged gambling license is doomed - both legally and in terms of access to payments and traffic.