A GGL-licensed German sportsbook (Merkur Group, formerly XTiP/Merkur Sports) currently paused for new customers pending internal restructuring
Visit Merkur Bets →Pros
- Operated by the Merkur Group, a large, well-established German gambling and entertainment conglomerate (founded 1957)
- Remains on the German GGL regulatory whitelist
- Diversified operator with casino, arcade, and sports-betting operations across Europe
Cons
- No welcome bonus currently claimable - new customer registrations from Germany and Austria paused since April 1, 2026
- Uncertain timeline for when new registrations will resume
- Payment methods, apps, and support channels not exhaustively detailed independently
Our verdict
Merkur Bets is operated by the Merkur Group (formerly Gauselmann Group), a large, well-established German family-owned entertainment and gambling conglomerate founded in 1957, confirmed via Wikipedia. The sportsbook brand has been rebranded over time, from XTiP to Merkur Sports to its current Merkur Bets name. It remains on the German GGL regulatory whitelist, a genuine mark of licensed operation. However, per our own bonus data, Merkur Bets paused new customer registrations from Germany and Austria on April 1, 2026 for internal restructuring, so no welcome bonus is currently claimable despite the operator's continued licensing status. This is an operational pause, not a trust or licensing concern - the Merkur Group is a large, diversified, publicly-visible operator with casino, arcade, and sports-betting operations across Europe.
How we rated it
Trust & licensing (27%)8
Remains on the German GGL whitelist under proper regulatory supervision, operated by a large, publicly-visible, decades-old German conglomerate with diversified casino, arcade, and sports-betting operations, per Wikipedia and our own bonus data.
Sportsbook (36%)7.5
Operated by the Merkur Group, a large, well-established German entertainment and gambling conglomerate (2.103 billion euro 2025 revenue, 15,254 employees), per Wikipedia.
Customer support (18%)6
Not exhaustively detailed independently, but backed by a large, established operator with a long operating history in the German market.
Bonuses & value (18%)1
No welcome bonus is currently claimable - Merkur Bets paused new customer registrations from Germany and Austria on April 1, 2026 for internal restructuring, per our own bonus data.
Welcome bonus
Quick facts
| Operator | Merkur Group (formerly Gauselmann Group) |
| Brand history | Formerly XTiP, then Merkur Sports, now Merkur Bets |
| Licensing | German GGL whitelist (GlueStV framework) |
| Founded (parent) | 1957 (as Gauselmann) |
| Current status | Paused new German/Austrian customer registrations April 1, 2026 for internal restructuring |
Where Merkur Bets is licensed
Merkur Bets appears on the official register in 1 country — 1 for sports betting and 0 for casino. We only feature it in markets where it holds a licence to accept you.
Europe (1)
About Merkur Bets
Merkur Bets is a GGL-licensed German sportsbook operated by the Merkur Group, a large, established gambling and entertainment conglomerate, currently paused for new customer registrations pending internal restructuring.
FAQ
Is Merkur Bets licensed?
Yes - it remains on the German GGL regulatory whitelist, operated by the Merkur Group.
Is Merkur Bets safe?
Yes - it is operated by the Merkur Group, a large, well-established German gambling and entertainment conglomerate founded in 1957.
Can I sign up for Merkur Bets right now?
No - it paused new customer registrations from Germany and Austria on April 1, 2026 for internal restructuring.
Who owns Merkur Bets?
The Merkur Group (formerly Gauselmann Group).
Was Merkur Bets previously known by another name?
Yes - it was formerly XTiP, then rebranded to Merkur Sports, and now operates as Merkur Bets.
