Bank asks about a casino payout: money laundering query

If your bank asks where a casino withdrawal comes from, the background is usually money laundering law. Under § 2(1) no. 15 of the German Money Laundering Act (GwG, as of 6 October 2026), organisers and intermediaries of gambling are obliged entities under that Act, with exceptions such as gaming machines under § 33c of the Trade Regulation Act and permitted lotteries. Under § 16(7) GwG, payouts may only be made to a payment account in the player's name, stating the purpose of the payment.

Other reasons why money from a casino is late or never arrives are collected on our overview page casino does not pay out; this page deals only with the query from your bank.

What the bank may check

These rules give two clear reference points: the payout should arrive on an account in your own name, and it should carry a payment reference linking it to the gambling operator. Which documents a bank may request in an individual case is not stated in the legal facts behind this page, so ask your bank directly what it needs and why.

Payment blocking for unauthorised gambling

Under § 9(1) no. 4 of the German State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021, as of 6 October 2026), the gambling supervisory authority can, after prior notification, prohibit banks and payment service providers from taking part in payments for unauthorised gambling and in payouts from it.

Players who notice after a win that the operator has no German licence often ask whether the withdrawal will cause trouble with their bank. Whether such an order affects a specific payment only your bank can say; for your situation, a consumer advice centre or a lawyer is the right contact.

And what about tax?

The bank's query is about the origin of the money, yet many players raise the tax question right after the call, and we answer it separately on our page about paying tax on casino winnings.

How to answer the bank

A calm, complete answer helps more than a hurried one:

1. IGather proof of the payout

   Save the withdrawal confirmation from your casino account with date, amount and payment method.

2. IIAdd your account statements

   Show the deposits to the casino and the incoming payout so the flow of money is easy to follow.

3. IIIAnswer honestly and completely

   Explain where the money comes from without leaving anything out. If unsure, speak to a consumer advice centre or a lawyer first.