Crossword Genius

Game half century by a German (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lotto

'game' is the definition.
(the UK National Lottery)

'half century by a german' is the wordplay.
'half century' becomes 'L' (Roman numeral for 50).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'a german' becomes 'otto' (common German name).
'l'+'otto'='LOTTO'

(Other definitions for lotto that I've seen before include "Housey-housey, bingo" , "gamble" , "Game in which numbers are drawn" , "Children's game; lottery" , "form of gambling" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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