Recovering Online Gambling Losses

Online sports betting and gambling are a multi-billion-euro business. If a provider offered gambling in Germany without the licence required under German law, the underlying contracts may be void and affected players may be entitled to recover their losses.

The Cologne Higher Regional Court ordered an online casino to reimburse a player for losses exceeding €58,000. The court’s decision illustrates that claims against a provider established abroad do not necessarily have to be pursued in that provider’s home country. Depending on the circumstances, a consumer may be able to bring proceedings before the court at their place of residence in Germany.

A decisive question is usually whether the player knew that the provider did not hold the required German licence. This must be assessed individually. The applicable limitation period and the losses that may still be recoverable also depend on the facts of the particular case and the current case law.

Further information is available in the judgment of the Cologne Higher Regional Court of 31 October 2022, case no. 19 U 51/22.

If you have suffered losses with an online betting or casino provider, the law firm JUDr. Gunther WITTENSTEIN can review whether the provider held the required licence, which documents are available and whether a claim may still be pursued. We will explain the legal and economic options clearly and assess your individual circumstances.

Contact us for an individual assessment.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice on an individual case.