Germany’s new gambling regulations feel like trying to drive a high-performance car with the handbrake on. The intention is clear—protect players, prevent addiction, keep things fair—but the way it’s being enforced? It’s making serious gamblers look elsewhere.
Take online poker, for example. I used to play regularly with a few colleagues, all within the legal framework. Now? Monthly deposit limits, forced cool-down periods, and higher tax rates have made it more of a hassle than it’s worth. I know plenty of players who’ve already jumped ship to offshore sites or crypto casinos just to avoid the restrictions. If the goal was to make the regulated market more attractive, it’s having the opposite effect.
I get the need for responsible gambling measures, but at what point do they just push players away? Is anyone actually benefiting from this, or is it just making the whole scene more frustrating?
Take online poker, for example. I used to play regularly with a few colleagues, all within the legal framework. Now? Monthly deposit limits, forced cool-down periods, and higher tax rates have made it more of a hassle than it’s worth. I know plenty of players who’ve already jumped ship to offshore sites or crypto casinos just to avoid the restrictions. If the goal was to make the regulated market more attractive, it’s having the opposite effect.
I get the need for responsible gambling measures, but at what point do they just push players away? Is anyone actually benefiting from this, or is it just making the whole scene more frustrating?