LUGAS Deposit Limit: Federal States Discuss Reform of the €1,000 Cap

The LUGAS system is considered one of the central player protection instruments of the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling. The cross-provider monthly deposit limit of €1,000 per player prevents consumers from depositing uncontrollably large sums at multiple online casinos simultaneously. But after five years in practice, the system is now up for debate: The Conference of Minister-Presidents will discuss a fundamental reform in July 2026.

The background for this discussion is a new report from the University of Hamburg, commissioned by the GGL, which evaluated the effectiveness of the LUGAS limit since 2021. The results are mixed: On the one hand, the limit has demonstrably contributed to a 23% decrease in average player spending per user in licensed casinos. On the other hand, the study also shows that about 18% of the most intensive players — the so-called "High Rollers" — have migrated to the black market because they find the €1,000 limit too restrictive.

The reform proposals go in different directions. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are advocating for a differentiated limit structure: Instead of a flat €1,000 limit, a dynamic limit between €500 and €5,000 should apply in the future, depending on income, playing history, and a voluntary affordability check. North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse fundamentally support this approach but are calling for additional protective measures — such as mandatory counseling for limits over €2,500.

The SPD-led states of Berlin, Bremen, and Hamburg, however, reject an increase of the limit. In their view, liberalization would undermine player protection and pose significant risks, especially for socially vulnerable population groups. The BZgA and several player protection associations like Bundesweite Fachstelle Glücksspielsucht and Faires Spiel have also publicly positioned themselves against any easing of the rules. Instead, they are calling for a reduction of the standard limit to €500 per month and mandatory self-evaluation tools for all players.

The GGL-licensed providers themselves — from JackpotPiraten and OnlineCasino DE to bwin Casino, Tipico Games, and LeoVegas DE — predominantly favor a differentiated solution. A joint position paper from the German Online Casino Association (DOCV) states: "The current flat-rate limit is too rigid. A personalized solution would strengthen both player protection and the competitiveness of the regulated market — thereby pushing back the black market." Specifically, the DOCV proposes a standard limit of €1,500, which can be increased to up to €5,000 upon request and after an income verification.

From a technical standpoint, a reform would be feasible with manageable effort. The LUGAS system already has the necessary interfaces for differentiated limit control — only the connection to proof of income (for example, via SCHUFA or the electronic income tax certificate) would need to be redesigned. However, data protection advocates warn against too close a link between gambling and financial data and demand that any income verification must be strictly voluntary and anonymized.

When the reform will actually arrive is still open. Realistically, it could come into effect on January 1, 2027, at the earliest, provided the minister-presidents agree on a common course in July 2026. Until then, the current €1,000 limit remains in effect unchanged. For German players, this means: anyone wishing to deposit more than €1,000 per month in GGL-licensed casinos must either come to terms with the limit — or wait for the reform. Lustich.de will report in detail on all further developments and inform its readers promptly of any updates.