At the beginning of March, 19 house searches were carried out in Austria and Greece as part of Operation Ikarus. The operation focussed on the illegal gambling scene. The raid was the result of an investigation lasting several months. Among other things, tax evasion totalling tens of millions of euros is being investigated.
Chris_W
A few weeks ago, various media reported on a major raid against illegal gambling in Kiel. In fact, a considerable number of unregulated machines were seized in the harbour city. The criticism of the German regulatory system voiced by the industry and addiction counsellors in this context is at least as interesting and relevant.
Chris_W
Spielbank Bad Wiessee am Tegernsee generated gross gaming revenue of almost 38 million euros last year. Compared to 2022, this represents an increase of over 13 per cent. But why is it that the casino on the idyllic Tegernsee, which is located around 50 kilometres south of Munich in the Bavarian Alps, was able to achieve such an impressive result?
Christian_1994
It is estimated that there are up to 50,000 illegal gaming machines in Germany. Not all of them have a criminal background, but they are certainly detrimental to the prevention of addiction and do not help the reputation of the industry. The city of Herne no longer wants to accept this situation on its territory. To underline its decision, the city destroyed a large number of unauthorised devices in a highly publicised campaign. This has caused quite a stir in the political arena.
Chris_W
The arcade, a place of vice, associated with the dangers of addiction or even illegal activities: This - admittedly exaggerated - view is held by many Germans. The German Association of Towns and Municipalities (DStGB), together with the German gaming machine industry, now wants to do more to remove the "stigma" from these establishments. What exactly does that mean?
Chris_W
The Gauselmann Group has won the tender for the casino licence issued by the state of Lower Saxony. This means that the family-owned company from East Westphalia will take over the ten casinos and slot machine casinos in Lower Saxony from September 2024. The casinos are currently still operated by Spielbanken Niedersachsen GmbH. In addition, a further Gauselmann casino is to be built in neighbouring North Rhine-Westphalia.
Christian_1994
The skills shortage is a critical issue in all sectors of the economy. The gaming industry is no exception. Experts can often only be recruited through extraordinary recruitment campaigns. Casino Stuttgart recently even went to the university.
Chris_W
Things aren't easy for arcade operators in Germany: minimum distances, the energy crisis and other regulations are creating a difficult business situation that ultimately affects the players. The state of Saarland has now introduced updated and stricter regulations in the form of a new arcades law. The ruling party openly states that the regulations are intended to reduce the gambling offering in the state.
Chris_W
The gaming company Merkur, or the Gauselmann Group and its associated companies, are well known for their extensive sponsorship activities. The brand is now also active in women's basketball through its partner Spielbanken Sachsen-Anhalt. Bundesliga team GISA LIONS MBC from Halle can look forward to support for the current season.
Chris_W
The location of betting shops and casinos is a regular source of legal disputes and political debate. Recently, the strict regulations on the location of gambling in public places have been confirmed once again. The Constitutional Court of Baden-Württemberg ruled that the so-called "separation requirement" was legal.
Chris_W
Sustainability is now an important issue in German arcades. On 19 July, the Bundesverband Automatenunternehmer presented a guideline with concrete recommendations for measures to implement or promote greater environmental awareness in Germany's gaming arcades. What exactly does this mean?
Chris_W
More than two years on, the effects of the Ahr flood disaster are still being felt. Not all the buildings affected have been rebuilt (or can be rebuilt). But there is good news for the Bad Neuenahr casino and its customers: It recently reopened its doors. The many flood victims, who continue to look to the future with concern, are also remembered.
Chris_W
Running a casino is no longer a guarantee of high turnover. Crises, bans and, last but not least, online gambling can take their toll on traditional establishments. This was also the case in Bavaria, where the acceptance of online gambling was severely hampered for around 15 years. However, this difficult period now seems to be over.
Chris_W
The Gauselmann Group was present at the three-day Parookaville Festival with a mobile casino. Visitors were able to play slot machines, blackjack and roulette. But how does a billion-dollar gambling company come up with the idea of running a casino at one of Europe's biggest electronic dance music festivals?
Christian_1994
It is not just the online gambling industry that is facing a tough time in this country. The bricks and mortar gambling industry is also struggling to cope with increasingly stringent legislation. In Bremen, for example, new distance regulations for betting shops and casinos came into force a few days ago. The death of betting shops in the city is therefore likely to continue.
Christian_1994