Central Europe

Germany: Interest in online gaming services continues strong rise

Published

5 years ago

April 23, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Online gaming services are becoming an ever more important pillar of the German games market. They allow video game players worldwide to compete online against one another, access cloud gaming offerings or use a large catalogue of games for a fixed monthly price. The last several years have seen significant growth not only in the variety of online gaming services, but also in players’ interest in them. In Germany, sales revenue of these services increased by 50 per cent in a single year, to 692 million euros. This value is nearly double that of 2018, when 353 million euros in sales were achieved with online gaming services. These are the numbers released today by game – the German Games Industry Association, based on data collected by the market research company GfK. Cloud gaming services showed the strongest rise in sales revenue: within just one year, this segment grew by 67 per cent, to 72 million euros. With cloud gaming services, players no longer need high-performance hardware to play titles with their full range of graphics. But because the computing takes place in the cloud, a correspondingly fast internet connection is required. Among the services in this category are GeForce Now from Nvidia, MagentaGaming from Telekom, PlayStation Now from Sony and Stadia Pro from Google. While sales revenue with online gaming services grew somewhat more slowly, at 50 per cent, this submarket is already considerably larger: 439 million euros in sales revenue were achieved in 2020 through services of this kind, such as Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus from Sony and Xbox Live Gold from Microsoft. In addition to game rebates and the saving of scores on the internet, these services also allow customers to play online via games consoles. Significantly more was also spent on subscription gaming services in 2020: this submarket grew by 44 per cent to a total value of 181 million euros. For a fixed monthly price, services like EA Play, the Xbox Game Pass from Microsoft, Ubisoft+ and the two versions for smartphone, Apple Arcade and the Google Play Pass, offer access to an extensive games library.

‘Online gaming services have developed into an important pillar of the games market within just a few years,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘The number and variety of services have gone up sharply, as has demand on the part of video game players. And there are a number of different factors that promise strong continued growth in the coming years. One of these is the rising interest in cloud gaming, which is still in an early market phase. Another is the increasing success of subscription gaming services, which give players access to a large selection of titles for a fixed monthly rate.’

German games market: big jump in sales revenue in 2020

The German games market recorded a strong jump in sales revenue in the Covid-19 year 2020: total sales revenue of around 8.5 billion euros was achieved in computer and video games and associated hardware, as already reported by game. This is an increase of 32 per cent compared to the previous year. Sales of more than 3.2 billion euros were registered with games consoles, gaming PCs and the corresponding peripheral equipment – an increase of 26 per cent over 2019. The submarket for computer and video games showed even stronger growth, with purchases of games, in-game and in-app purchases, subscriptions and charges for online services climbing to 5.2 billion euros, an impressive 36 per cent rise compared to the previous year.

About the market data

The market data is based on statistics compiled by the GfK Consumer Panel. The methods used by GfK to collect data on Germany’s video games market are unique in terms of both their quality and their global use. They include an ongoing survey of 25,000 consumers who are representative of the German population as a whole regarding their video game purchasing and usage habits, as well as a retail panel. The data collection methods provide a unique insight into the German market for computer and video games.

game – the German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members include developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers. As a joint organiser of gamescom, we are responsible for the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, and answer questions relating to market development, games culture and media literacy. Our mission is to make Germany the best games location.

Central Europe

Tipico Casino Enters into Partnership with Holstein Kiel

Published

13 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

tipico-casino-enters-into-partnership-with-holstein-kiel

Tipico Casino, operated by Tipico Karlsruhe Ltd, has entered into a partnership with German second-division football club Holstein Kiel. The agreement marks the start of a long-term collaboration between two strong and trusted brands.

In April, Tipico Karlsruhe Ltd. launched a fully regulated online casino offering in Schleswig-Holstein – becoming the first private provider to do so in Germany. The licences were granted in September 2024 by the state’s Ministry of the Interior, Municipal Affairs, Housing and Sport. The partnership with Holstein Kiel reflects the strong regional commitment behind this new offering.

The aim is not only to deliver exciting entertainment to people in Schleswig-Holstein, but also to ensure a safe and responsible environment. Tipico is known for its high standards in player protection in Germany and applies the same approach to its online casino offering.

Holstein Kiel stands for authenticity, passion and down-to-earth values like few other clubs in northern Germany. At the heart of the collaboration is a long-term partnership built on trust, regional proximity and shared values.

Christian Heins, Director of iGaming at Tipico, said: “As someone who grew up in northern Germany, I feel a strong personal connection to the region. I’m therefore especially pleased that we’ve been able to bring together Holstein Kiel, a club with great tradition, and Tipico Casino. By joining forces, we aim to offer players a safe and engaging online casino experience.”

Wolfgang Schwenke, Vice President and Managing Director of KSV Holstein, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tipico as a partner that is actively contributing to developments in Schleswig-Holstein. As a club with strong roots in the region, it is important to us to build and strengthen local partnerships. At the same time, we share a clear commitment to providing a responsible environment.”

The post Tipico Casino Enters into Partnership with Holstein Kiel appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Central Europe

ZEAL launches Dream Car Raffle charity lottery in Germany

Published

3 weeks ago

April 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

zeal-launches-dream-car-raffle-charity-lottery-in-germany

ZEAL has launched Dream Car Raffle (Traumautoverlosung), a new charity lottery offering in the regulated German gambling market. The company said the product is developed in-house and adds to its portfolio alongside its lottery brokerage business.

Traumautoverlosung is operated by Dreamify gGmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZEAL, while marketing and sales is handled by Lotto24 AG, also part of the group. ZEAL said the launch follows the Dream House Raffle (Traumhausverlosung) introduced in 2024 and freiheit+, making Traumautoverlosung its third charity lottery in Germany.

“With Traumautoverlosung, ZEAL continues its strategy of complementing its traditional lottery brokerage business with proprietary products, targeting new customer segments and reducing its dependence on jackpot-driven cycles of state lotteries,” the company said. Stefan Tweraser, CEO of ZEAL Group, added: “We are pleased to further expand our core business with attractive new products. Traumautoverlosung is another step towards diversifying our portfolio and reaching new target groups.”

ZEAL said Traumautoverlosung is structured with a limited number of tickets and a guaranteed winner. At launch, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS will be raffled, with a total of 250,000 tickets available. “With Traumautoverlosung, we are focusing on cars that are otherwise out of reach for many people – highly desirable models that are often difficult to obtain on the market,” said Michael Lee, founder of Traumautoverlosung. “Our goal is to translate this demand into a transparent, digital product with clearly defined mechanics.”

As a charity lottery, the product allocates at least 20 percent of ticket revenue to charitable causes, according to ZEAL. The company said the initiative will partner with Johanniter in 2026.

The post ZEAL launches Dream Car Raffle charity lottery in Germany appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Best Slot Developer

Amusnet Named Best Slot Developer at GamingTECH Awards 2026

Published

4 weeks ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-named-best-slot-developer-at-gamingtech-awards-2026

Amusnet has been awarded the title of Best Slot Developer at the GamingTECH Awards 2026, marking a notable acknowledgment of the company’s innovative and technical prowess. Unveiled on March 25th in Prague at the 10th-anniversary edition of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, this recognition emphasizes the influence of the company’s varied, high-achieving slot collection throughout Central and Eastern European markets.

This accolade highlights the organization’s capacity to provide a diverse array of titles that satisfy the changing needs of both operators and players. By prioritizing technical dependability, dynamic animations, and captivating features, Amusnet has positioned itself as a key partner in the area.

“We are truly honoured to receive the Best Slot Developer award,” commented Julia Peeva-Sertov, CEO & Director at Amusnet Gaming, Malta. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences for players. Empowering our partners continues to inspire us to push boundaries and set new benchmarks in the industry.”

The Prague Gaming & TECH Summit united industry leaders and top executives to explore the connection between gaming, AI, and fintech. During the event, representatives from Amusnet Gaming participated in strategic networking and high-level discussions within the industry, enhancing connections with partners in the CEE area. Winning this title at a milestone anniversary occasion reinforces the company’s position as an innovative leader in the digital entertainment industry.

The post Amusnet Named Best Slot Developer at GamingTECH Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.