Best Bookmaker Bonuses in Germany: Free Bets & Sports Promo Codes in December 2023

Germany’s history of gambling dates back to Ancient Roman times. Throughout the past century, lawmakers in this country have changed and updated sports betting regulations.

Germany now has some of the most complex sports gambling laws in Europe, particularly when considering each of the country’s 16 federal states has the ability to set its own rules for this industry. This guide will touch on some of those laws and highlight several of the best German sports betting bonuses offered in 2023.

Germans are known for their passion for football. Millions of people around the country place wagers on this sport and others every single year. Fortunately, there are now a large number of safe, reputable online bookmakers available in Germany to choose from.

The legal framework to operate an online sportsbook in this state was made slightly more clear in 2021 after the passing of the German Interstate Treaty on Gambling (ISTG). In order to do so, all betting operators are required to apply for and obtain a betting license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Germany’s primary gaming regulator.

There is now a great selection of legal sports betting platforms to choose from in Germany, each of which provides its own unique selection of odds, bonuses, and betting markets. Learn more about some of those platforms by checking out this entire guide today.

Compare & Find the Best Betting Bonuses in Germany

Top 5 Free Bet Bonuses in Germany This Month

The German sports betting industry continues to grow at a rapid pace. Sports fans in the country have access to a great variety of excellent betting sites, some of which offer better welcome bonuses than others. Discover five of the best German sports betting promos below.

🥇HappyBet – 150% First Deposit Bonus of Up to €100

HappyBet was one of the first online sports betting sites to gain a federal license to operate in Germany. In January of 2023, this license was renewed until 2027. HappyBet is one of the most popular online sportsbooks in Germany and the fantastic welcome bonus offering a 150% bonus on a player’s first deposit up to €100 has definitely helped.

There is no promo code required to earn this welcome bonus. Make your first deposit of €10 or more and HappyBet will credit your account with a 150% first deposit bonus of up to €100.

🥈Neo.Bet – 200% First Deposit Bonus of Up to €50

Neo.Bet is a unique online sportsbook with a massive selection of odds and a clean, modern design. It also happens to offer one of the most generous German sports betting bonuses in 2023. Members here are eligible for a 200% first deposit bonus of up to €50.

No promo code is required for this bonus, either. After making your first deposit, Neo.Bet will credit your account with a 200% bonus of up to €50.

🥉bet365 – 100% First Deposit Bonus of Up to €100

bet365 has long been considered one of the best overall online bookies in the world. It is now providing new members in Germany with a generous 100% first deposit bonus of up to €100. That is not necessarily one of the most lucrative deposit bonuses offered in Germany, yet the fact that these bonus funds can be used to wager at bet365 makes this worthy of a top-five list.

bet365 is known for offering a massive selection of wagering options. It also features a clean, user-friendly design that even completely new bettors will be able to quickly understand.

🎖️Bwin – €100 Bonus + €10 Free Bet

Bwin is another extremely popular bookie featuring a modern design, a huge selection of odds, and some very generous promotions. The welcome bonus is particularly solid, offering a €100 bonus + €10 free bet.

This comes in the form of a free bet, meaning Bwin will refund the first wager you make up to €100 bonus. On top of that, Bwin provides an additional €10 free bet to be used in the future.

Free bet bonuses are a great option for Germans new to online betting. They allow bettors to make a first, risk free bet on the sport of their choosing.

🏅XTiP Sportwetten – €100 as a free bet

All new members of Xtip Sportwetten are eligible to receive a €100 bonus in the form of a free bet after signing up, making a first deposit, and placing a first qualifying bet. This first wager must be a parlay involving 3 or more wagers with minimum odds of 1.5.

If that bet is lost, XTip Sportwetten will credit your account with 100% of your stake back up to €100 as a free bet.

This one is very similar to the one offered by Bwin. XTip Sportwetten is known for offering a massive selection of soccer odds and this platform’s welcome bonus can be used to bet on a variety of leagues around the world.

How To Find The Best Free Bets & Bonuses at German Bookmakers

Germany has been slowly revamping its online gambling regulations over the past decade. In 2021, lawmakers in the country passed the German Interstate Treaty on Gambling (ISTG), requiring all bookmakers to obtain an online gambling license in order to legally operate in the country. This was done in an attempt to remove illegal gambling sites from the country and better regulate the industry.

This benefited bettors in the state in many ways. With more regulations came a safer online betting environment throughout the country. There are still many important features that online bettors should look for in a betting site before they decide to join one. The most important features to look for in these platforms can be seen below.

Legitimate Gaming Licenses

It’s always advised to stick with online sportsbooks that hold a legitimate gaming license. In order for an online bookie to legally operate in Germany, it must obtain a license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). Ensuring that the bookmaker you join holds a license from this regulatory body is a great way to determine whether it is safe or not. Each of the German betting sites featured in this guide holds a valid license to operate in the country.

Generous Promotions

All of the best online betting sites in Germany provide promotions to their members. Sign-up promos are the most popular, offering special bonuses to new players after registering. Not all of these promotions are worth claiming, however, as some can come with terms and conditions that do not necessarily benefit players. It’s recommended to stick with online betting sites that provide generous promotions with favorable terms and a low playthrough requirement.

Odds Variety

Most of the top betting sites in Germany provide a large selection of odds across multiple sports. This helps to give nearly all sports fans the ability to wager on their favorite teams and players. All of the bookmakers we’ve listed provide odds on popular German sports such as football, motorsports, handball, and basketball.

Design and User Interface

The design and user interface of an online betting site are far more important than some realize. It has a huge impact on the overall wagering experience. All of the very best German bookmakers feature modern designs with simple user interfaces that make it easy to place wagers. These modern designs should make it easy to find odds and place wagers. An intuitive bet slip should also be present to display how much winnings each bet can pay out.

Secure Banking Options

Another one of the most important things to look for in a German sportsbook is a safe, secure cashier system. Reputable bookmakers will always work to ensure your money is safe. The terms and conditions of payments should always be clear, including information on any fees or processing times.

How To Claim These Free Bets

Claiming bonuses through reputable German betting sites should be very simple. These sites are generally very user-friendly and work to make things as easy as possible for bettors. It should take no longer than a few minutes to sign up for one of these bookmakers and claim the welcome bonus being offered. The sections below break down the process to claim bonus offers through the top mobile betting apps in Germany.

Pick a Bookmaker and Register

The first step necessary to claim a betting bonus is to choose a bookmaker to join. To make things simple, consider choosing from the list of the best betting sites in Germany featured at the top of this guide page. By clicking our links to these bookmakers, you will be automatically redirected to these sites’ sign-up pages.

Registering for these bookmakers should only take a few minutes. Simply provide your basic personal information and choose a username and password. Additional identity verification may be required, including a photo of your government ID.

Enter a Promo Code, if Required

After creating an account with one of these betting websites, you will likely be given the option to enter a promo code. This is a specialized code that can be entered at some point during the registration process of a bookmaker. Sometimes, entering this code is a necessary step to claim the welcome bonus or free bets being offered. If that is the case, a clear “promo code” area will be clearly identified on our banners.

Not all online betting websites require the use of a promo code. Many of these betting platforms will reward players with a welcome bonus immediately after making a deposit matching their wagering requirements.

Redeem the Bonus

After receiving the bonus funds, players can use them to wager on any of the available betting markets being offered. Generally, these funds come in the form of “bonus bets,” and cannot be immediately withdrawn. To withdraw these bonus funds, bettors must reach what is called a playthrough requirement.

A playthrough requirement symbolizes the amount of money that a bettor must wager to make bonus funds able to be withdrawn. This requirement can vary. Some German betting bonuses come with just a 1x playthrough requirement. Others require bettors to wager 25x the amount of bonus funds before they become withdrawable.

Do All German Betting Sites Require A Promo Code?

Not all German sportsbooks require a promo code to redeem bonuses. These wagering platforms have the ability to set most of their own rules when it comes to offering bonuses. The use of a promo code will vary from site to site.

Many online sportsbooks can automatically credit players with a welcome bonus after making a first deposit. In this case, the sportsbook will often ask bettors whether or not they want to claim this bonus. In other cases, bettors can claim a welcome bonus simply by clicking a button. The best German sportsbooks will always provide clear instructions on how to claim their sign-up promos and our banners streamline the process.

Popular Sports Betting Promo Codes in Germany: New & Existing Players

Online sportsbook promotions and bonuses can come in all shapes and sizes. German betting sites provide these offers for a variety of reasons. Welcome bonuses are intended to help these sites attract new players. Other bonuses help bookmakers retain their existing users with exciting deals. Discover several of the most popular German sports betting bonuses being offered right now!

First Deposit Match Bonuses

Many betting sites offer their new members first deposit match bonuses. Here, sportsbooks match a new user’s first deposit by a certain percentage and to a particular limit. One of the most common first deposit match bonuses is a 100% first deposit bonus of up to €100. These offer a quick, fun way to immediately double your payroll.

Free Bet/Bonus Bets

Some of the most popular German sports betting bonuses are known as free bet bonuses or bonus bets. These award new bettors with either a single free bet or a particular amount of bonus bets worth a set amount of money. The requirements to claim these types of bonuses vary, yet most require new members of a bookmaker to make a first deposit. If you spot a free bet no deposit bonus, hop on the German betting site for a shot at winning real money from thin air.

Odds Boosts

Odds boosts are, as the name suggests, bonuses that offer bettors boosted odds for particular sporting events. These sportsbooks essentially lower the house edge, moving the odds in favor of the bettor. Sportsbooks can choose to boost the payout for moneyline, totals, and point spread bets. These are always limited-time offers and are often only provided for very popular sporting events.

Reward Points

Betting sites love to award their loyal users with some of the best German sports betting bonuses known as reward points. These reward points go toward the sportsbook’s reward program, a tiered structure that offers various prizes for bettors. The more points that are earned, the higher up the reward structure bettors will move. The prizes offered by rewards programs can vary tremendously.

What Bonus Type is the Best for German Bettors?

Every type of sports betting bonus has its benefits. There is no true way of saying which bonus is the best for sports betting. The best type of bonus tends to be one that comes with favorable terms and conditions for bettors.

Most experts recommend claiming a welcome bonus that comes with a low playthrough requirement. A low playthrough requirement allows players to convert their bonus funds into withdrawable cash with relative ease. The lower this requirement, the easier it will be to collect bonus funds.

Odds boosts can certainly benefit sports bettors, too. All bookmakers possess a natural edge over bettors due to the vig, a type of fee that sportsbooks charge to give them an advantage. Odds boost bonuses remove this edge, meaning players have a better chance of winning big.

Sports Betting Rules & Restrictions in Germany

Sports betting has taken place in Germany for centuries. Over the past few decades, rules and regulations for this country’s sports betting industry evolved. A major change came in 2021 when lawmakers in the country approved the German Interstate Treaty on Gambling (ISTG). This move forced all gambling operators in Germany to obtain a license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL).

Specific rules toward sports betting have changed in the country over the years, too. Discover some of the most important rules for sports betting in this country below. Three of these rules are particularly important.

• Each of the 16 federal states in Germany set their own laws on sports betting.
• Bettors have a maximum monthly bookmaker deposit limit of €1000.
• Bettors must fully verify their identity before placing any sports bets: All online sports wagering platforms in Germany must complete a full ID verification on new players. This information is collective, ensuring that no bettors surpass the maximum deposit limit of €1000 per month.
• The minimum age to place sports bets in Germany is 18: Online sportsbooks go through an extensive ID verification process to ensure their members are above the age of 18.
• Wagering through unlicensed bookmakers is illegal: Punishments for wagering through unlicensed bookmakers can include heavy fines and possible imprisonment of up to six months.

Sports Betting Bonuses Strategies & Tips

Sports betting bonuses can offer a fantastic way for bettors to boost their bankroll, gain more favorable odds, and rise up unique bookmaker reward program ranks. Of course, knowing specific strategies to utilize and maximize these bonuses can help bettors in the long term. Learn about some of the most effective German sports betting bonus strategies and tips below.

Always Consider Playthrough Requirements

Many of the best sports betting bonuses in Germany can be extremely generous. As a result, new bettors can make the mistake of thinking the bonus they receive can be immediately turned into withdrawable funds. That is not the case, as bookmakers set specific playthrough requirements to restrict the withdrawal of these bonus funds.

Always be sure to consider this playthrough requirement before claiming a bonus. An extremely generous bonus can come with a 30x playthrough requirement, essentially making it impossible for bettors to ever turn these extra funds into real money.

Wager on Underdogs

Bonus funds are essentially free bet credits offered to bettors. Due to that fact, most experts recommend bettors be a little more willing to take risks with these funds. Correct bets on underdogs will always prove to be more lucrative than wagers on betting favorites.

Winning large payouts on underdogs means bettors can then make additional wagers with bonus funds, increasing the likelihood of reaching the playthrough requirement. Always research bets, yet be willing to wager on underdogs with the bonus funds received.

Consider Futures Bets

This is similar to wagering on the underdog. Futures bets are bets on the winning team of a specific match or championship that are placed far in advance. Generally, these odds are extremely profitable; even on the betting favorites. It can be a great idea to utilize bonus funds to wager on futures due to those lucrative odds. Bonus funds will generally expire after a short amount of time if unused, yet there is no rule against placing bets far in advance with the funds earned from a bonus.

Betting Regulations in Germany

Germany’s sports betting industry has gone through some major changes in the last few years. Prior to 2021, online bookmakers seemingly had few regulations to offer odds in the country. That is no longer the case, and any sportsbook operating here needs to obtain a valid license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder.

This decision sent shockwaves through the German online gaming industry. Many gaming operators immediately left the country. Other, more reputable brands quickly sought to gain a license to operate here. There is now a great selection of sports betting operators to choose from, including the 10 featured in this guide to the best German sports betting bonuses.

Just keep in mind the exclusive rules set by Germany’s iGaming authority – 18+, maximum of €1000 deposits, and avoid offshore operators.

Some rules might seem like a nuisance, but they are in place to keep you safe while betting online.