German lottery subscription: set up, cancel and pay Dauerschein

Imagine checking the lottery results on Sunday morning and realising your usual numbers came up — but you forgot to buy a ticket. It is a scenario that has haunted lottery players for decades, and it is exactly the problem the Dauerschein was designed to solve. A Dauerschein is a standing subscription that automatically enters your chosen numbers into every draw of your selected lottery until you decide to stop. No queues at the lottery kiosk, no missed deadlines, no Tuesday-evening panic because the Lotto 6aus49 cutoff is 18:30 and you are still at work.

In Germany, the Dauerschein has become the preferred way to play for millions of regular participants. The major online lottery platforms — the official state lottery sites (Lotto Baden-Württemberg, Lotto Bayern, Lotto Niedersachsen, and others), as well as secondary providers like Lotto24 and Lottoland — all offer subscription functionality with slightly different interfaces but the same underlying mechanics. The concept is simple: you pick your numbers, set your payment method, choose your draw frequency, and the system handles the rest. Every week, your entries are submitted automatically, your account is charged, and any winnings are credited directly. The Dauerschein runs indefinitely until you cancel it.

Which lotteries support subscription play

Not every German lottery offers subscription functionality, and the options vary slightly depending on whether you use an official state lottery website or a secondary provider. The most popular subscription-compatible lotteries include Lotto 6aus49, Eurojackpot, and Glücksspirale, each with its own draw schedule, price point, and prize structure.

The major lotteries that support Dauerschein subscriptions and their key characteristics are outlined below.

Lottery	Draw days	Price per line (norm. tarif)	Subscription available	Cutoff time (online)
Lotto 6aus49	Wednesday + Saturday	€1.20	Yes	Wednesday 17:30, Saturday 18:30
Eurojackpot	Tuesday + Friday	€2.00	Yes	Tuesday 17:30, Friday 18:30
Glücksspirale	Saturday only	€5.00 (full ticket)	Yes	Saturday 18:30
Spiel 77	Saturday only	€2.50	Yes (usually bundled with Lotto)	Saturday 18:30
Super 6	Saturday only	€1.25	Yes (usually bundled with Lotto)	Saturday 18:30
KENO	Monday–Sunday	€1.00	Limited (daily subscriptions on some platforms)	Daily 13:30

The table shows that the three flagship games — Lotto 6aus49, Eurojackpot, and Glücksspirale — all fully support subscription play. Spiel 77 and Super 6 are add-on games that are typically bundled into a Lotto 6aus49 subscription rather than purchased as standalone subscriptions. KENO, the daily numbers game, has limited subscription support because its daily frequency creates billing complexity that not all platforms handle gracefully.

Setting up your Dauerschein: a step-by-step walkthrough

The registration process for a German lottery subscription is straightforward but involves several decisions that affect your ongoing play — choices that are annoying to change later if you get them wrong the first time. Before you start, you need a registered account with your chosen lottery provider, a verified email address, and a valid payment method. The full setup typically takes ten to fifteen minutes from start to confirmation.

The following steps walk through the complete setup process on a standard German lottery platform.

Create and verify your account: visit the website of your chosen provider — whether an official state lottery site or a secondary ticketing service. Enter your personal details, including full name, date of birth, address, and email. You must be at least 18 years old. The provider will send a verification email — click the link to activate your account. Some providers require additional identity verification (Postident or video identification) before the first play, especially for larger subscription plans.
Select your lottery and numbers: navigate to the subscription section of the platform. Choose the lottery you want to play (Lotto 6aus49, Eurojackpot, Glücksspirale, or a combination). For number-based games, select your numbers manually or use the quick-pick option. For Glücksspirale, you receive a pre-printed number that remains yours for the duration of the subscription. You can also select additional options like Spiel 77, Super 6, or the Superzahl (super number) for Lotto 6aus49.
Choose your draw frequency: decide which draw days you want to participate in. For Lotto 6aus49, you can select Wednesday only, Saturday only, or both. For Eurojackpot, you can choose Tuesday only, Friday only, or both. For Glücksspirale, the only option is Saturday. Your choice directly affects the weekly cost.
Set the duration: most platforms offer two options — a fixed-term subscription (e.g., 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 months) or an open-ended subscription that runs until you cancel. The open-ended option is the most popular and the most flexible.
Select your payment method: choose how you want to pay for your subscription. Most providers offer direct debit (Lastschrift), credit card, PayPal, or prepaid account credit. Direct debit is the most common and convenient option for subscriptions because it requires no manual intervention after setup.
Confirm and review: before finalising, review all details — numbers, draw days, duration, cost per week, and payment method. You will see a summary of the total weekly or monthly charge and the next draw date. Check the box confirming that you are 18 or older and agree to the terms and conditions. Click confirm to activate your subscription.
Keep your confirmation: the platform will send a confirmation email with all subscription details, including your ticket numbers, draw schedule, payment method, and instructions for cancellation. Save this email — it is your reference document for managing the subscription later.

Once the subscription is active, the platform will automatically submit your entries for every selected draw, charge your payment method, and send you a confirmation for each draw. You do not need to log in or take any action — the system handles everything. Your subscription confirmation email is the key document if you ever need to prove participation, change settings, or cancel.

Payment methods explained: which one works best for subscriptions

The payment method you choose during setup determines how smoothly your subscription runs and how easily you can manage charges. German lottery platforms typically offer four main payment options, each with distinct advantages and limitations for subscription play.

The most common payment methods for Dauerschein subscriptions are described below.

Direct debit (Lastschrift): the standard for German subscriptions. You provide your IBAN, the provider debits the cost of each draw cycle from your account automatically. No manual action required. Preferred for its simplicity and reliability. Cancellation of the direct debit mandate at your bank will also stop the subscription, so ensure you cancel through the platform first to avoid being billed for an extra cycle.
Credit card (Kreditkarte): accepted by most platforms for subscription billing. Charges appear on your monthly card statement. Some providers require re-authorisation if the card expires, which can temporarily pause the subscription if you forget to update the details. Credit card payments are useful if you want to earn rewards points, but not all German banks issue credit cards to younger players.
PayPal: offered by several online providers as a flexible alternative. Your PayPal account is charged per draw cycle. If your PayPal balance is insufficient, it falls back to a linked bank account or card. PayPal offers strong buyer protection, but if your PayPal account is closed or frozen for any reason, the subscription will pause until you update your payment method.
Prepaid account credit (Guthaben): some providers allow you to load a balance onto your account in advance, and the cost of each draw is deducted from this balance. This method gives you maximum control over spending because the subscription pauses automatically when the balance is depleted — no surprise charges. The downside is that you must remember to top up, or you risk missing draws when the balance runs out.

Each method has trade-offs. Direct debit is the set-and-forget option that most German players choose. Credit card and PayPal add flexibility for players who prefer not to share banking details directly. Prepaid credit is ideal for budget-conscious players who want a hard spending limit. Whichever you choose, the key is ensuring that your payment method remains valid — an expired card or closed account will pause your subscription, and if you do not notice, you could miss the draw where your numbers finally come up.

How and when to cancel your subscription

Cancelling a Dauerschein is legally straightforward but operationally specific. Under German consumer protection law, subscriptions can be cancelled at any time without penalty, but the timing of your cancellation affects which draws remain active. Most platforms require cancellation before the billing cycle for the upcoming draw — typically two to three business days before the next scheduled draw date. If you cancel after this cutoff, you will be entered and charged for that one remaining draw, and the subscription will end from the following draw.

The cancellation process varies by provider. On official state lottery websites, you can usually cancel directly through your account dashboard by navigating to the subscription management section, selecting the active subscription, and clicking “Kündigen” or “Abo beenden.” Some providers require a written cancellation by email or postal mail, though this is becoming less common as platforms modernise. Secondary providers like Lotto24 generally offer online cancellation with immediate confirmation.

Important details about the cancellation process are listed below.

Cancellation timing: submit your cancellation at least 2-3 business days before the next draw to avoid being charged for that draw. Wednesday Lotto draws require cancellation by the preceding Monday. Saturday draws require cancellation by the preceding Thursday.
Confirmation of cancellation: always save the cancellation confirmation email or screenshot. If the platform continues to charge you after cancellation, this document is your proof.
Fixed-term vs. open-ended subscriptions: fixed-term subscriptions expire automatically at the end of the term — no cancellation needed. Open-ended subscriptions run until you actively cancel them. Check which type you have in your account settings.
Pausing instead of cancelling: some platforms offer a pause feature that temporarily suspends your subscription for a specified period (e.g., vacation, travel). This is useful if you want to resume later without re-entering all your numbers and settings.
Direct debit cancellation at your bank: as a last resort, you can cancel the direct debit mandate at your bank, which will prevent further charges. However, this does not formally cancel the subscription on the platform — you may still receive invoices or reminders. Always cancel through the platform first.
Refunds for incorrect charges: if you are charged after submitting a timely cancellation, contact customer support with your cancellation confirmation. Most providers will refund the erroneous charge without dispute, as German consumer law is clear on this point.

The cancellation process is designed to be user-friendly, but the responsibility to act is yours. A Dauerschein does not expire on its own (unless it is fixed-term), and providers will continue to charge you until you take action. Setting a calendar reminder to review your subscriptions periodically is a simple habit that prevents unwanted charges from accumulating over months or years.

What happens when you win with a subscription

One of the biggest advantages of the Dauerschein is automatic prize collection. When you play with a physical ticket or a one-time online entry, you must present the ticket or log in to claim your winnings — and if you lose the ticket or forget to check, the prize money goes unclaimed after the deadline expires. With a subscription, this problem disappears entirely.

For smaller prizes (typically up to €500 or €1,000, depending on the provider), the winnings are automatically credited to your player account balance. From there, you can use the balance to fund future play or request a withdrawal to your bank account. The process is seamless — you receive an email notification that you have won, and the money appears in your account within a few business days.

For larger prizes, the provider handles the claim process on your behalf. Prizes between €1,000 and €100,000 are typically transferred to your verified bank account after the provider confirms your identity and processes the necessary paperwork. For prizes above €100,000 — and especially for jackpot wins — the provider will contact you directly to arrange personal claim processing, which may involve visiting a regional lottery office in person. The advantage of the subscription in this scenario is that you are guaranteed not to miss the claim deadline, which is 13 weeks for Lotto 6aus49 and Eurojackpot, and 7 weeks for Glücksspirale. The provider knows you played, knows your numbers, and knows you won — they will reach out to you.

Comparing official state lotteries vs. secondary providers

The German lottery market offers two distinct paths to setting up a Dauerschein, and the choice between them affects price, prize payout, and user experience. Official state lottery websites (Lotto.de, Lotto Bayern, Lotto NRW, etc.) are operated by the respective state’s lottery administration. They charge the official tariff — €1.20 per line for Lotto 6aus49, €2.00 for Eurojackpot — and pay 100% of the official prize money. Secondary providers like Lotto24, Lottoland, and Tipp24 are private companies that either purchase official tickets on your behalf or, in some cases, pay prizes directly through their own insurance-backed model.

The practical differences between these two types of providers matter for subscription players. Official sites typically charge slightly less per line and pay prizes without any commission deduction. Secondary providers may charge a small markup per line (sometimes €0.10–€0.30 extra) but often offer more polished mobile apps, flexible payment options, and promotional discounts for new subscribers. Both are legitimate and regulated — secondary providers are licensed by German state authorities and subject to the same consumer protection standards. The choice comes down to whether you prioritise the lowest possible price per line (official sites) or the most convenient app experience with occasional promotions (secondary providers).

Taxes, fees, and the true cost of a subscription

Understanding the true cost of a Dauerschein requires looking beyond the per-line price. In Germany, lottery winnings are tax-free for the player — no income tax is levied on prizes, regardless of size. However, the cost of playing is not tax-deductible, and secondary providers may charge additional fees that increase the effective cost per draw.

The most common additional costs are a handling fee (Bearbeitungsgebühr) charged by some platforms per draw, which can range from €0.50 to €1.00 per submission, and a markup on the ticket price that secondary providers apply to generate their revenue. Official state lottery sites charge the Bearbeitungsgebühr as part of the official price structure — typically €0.50 per Lotto 6aus49 draw — while some secondary providers waive this fee but charge a higher per-line price instead.

For a typical subscription playing two lines of Lotto 6aus49 on both Wednesday and Saturday, the weekly cost on an official state site is approximately €5.80 (2 lines × €1.20 × 2 draws + €0.50 handling fee × 2 draws). Over a year, that is roughly €302. Adding Spiel 77 (€2.50 × 1 draw) and Super 6 (€1.25 × 1 draw) on Saturday brings the annual total to approximately €430. A Eurojackpot subscription with two lines on both Tuesday and Friday costs approximately €416 per year. These are modest amounts spread across the year, but they add up — and a player who subscribes to multiple lotteries simultaneously can easily spend €1,000 or more annually without noticing, because the charges are distributed across weekly direct debits rather than appearing as a single large payment.

Tips for managing multiple subscriptions

Players who subscribe to more than one lottery — a common scenario for enthusiastic participants — face a management challenge. Multiple draw schedules, multiple payment cycles, and multiple prize notifications create complexity that can lead to overlooked charges or forgotten cancellations. The following practices help keep multiple subscriptions under control.

Keeping your lottery subscriptions organised requires a few simple but disciplined habits.

Use a single provider for all subscriptions: consolidating all your lottery subscriptions onto one platform — whether official or secondary — simplifies management. You have one login, one payment method, one cancellation process, and one dashboard showing all active subscriptions.
Set a monthly spending cap: calculate your total monthly lottery spend across all subscriptions and set a hard budget. If the total exceeds what you can comfortably afford, reduce the number of lines, draw days, or lotteries until the cost fits.
Review subscriptions quarterly: every three months, log in and review your active subscriptions, total spend, and any winnings. This habit catches unwanted charges early and gives you a realistic picture of whether the entertainment value matches the financial cost.
Use calendar reminders for cancellation cutoffs: if you are considering cancelling, set a reminder two weeks before the intended end date to ensure you submit the cancellation before the next billing cycle.
Check for platform changes: providers occasionally update their terms, prices, or subscription features. Periodic reviews of your account notifications or the platform’s news section keep you informed of changes that affect your subscription.

The Dauerschein is a tool — a convenient, automated way to participate in German lottery draws without the friction of manual ticket purchases. Like any automatic payment, it works best when the person who set it up remains engaged enough to manage it. A subscription that runs unchecked for years without review is not a strategy — it is a habit. The difference between a well-managed Dauerschein and a neglected one is the difference between controlled entertainment and unnoticed spending. Set it up carefully, review it periodically, and let the automation handle the rest while you keep the oversight.