Unlawful gambling operation unveiled on Lake Constance: Brothers running clandestine slot machine operations
In a recent development, a case involving two brothers and an illegal slot machine has been making headlines in Germany. The incident unfolded in the town of Überlingen, near Lake Constance, where a police officer conducted a routine control at a local gaming establishment.
During the control, the officer noticed a suspected illegal slot machine. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the machine did not check player data, did not adhere to prescribed limits, and could be manipulated. The illegal slot machine was found to amount to 47,000 euros, and the player winnings of this amount were seized.
The exact nature of the civil control is not clear, whether it was targeted or a routine inspection. However, it led to the discovery of the illegal slot machine. The slot machine operator from Überlingen is the brother of the operator of the gaming establishment. The older brother claimed responsibility for the machine, while the younger brother, who had a license for the slot machine in 2018, denied any involvement.
The younger brother was sentenced to a fine of 3,000 euros for operating the illegal slot machine. The older brother, on the other hand, was acquitted. It is worth noting that the younger brother's permit was revoked in 2020, but he denied receiving a letter from the responsible authority upon expiration of the permit.
The judge in the case, Alexander von Kennel from the local court of Überlingen, suspects that both brothers may have colluded with each other. The judge's suspicions arise from the fact that the illegal slot machine was found in locations other than just Überlingen, suggesting a broader operation.
It is important to understand the difference between an unauthorized and an illegal slot machine in the context of German gaming laws. Unauthorized slot machines lack the required official license or approval but might not be actively prosecuted unless they breach additional legal constraints. In contrast, illegal slot machines are unauthorized and also violate legal prohibitions, such as unlicensed public operation, leading to enforcement actions.
Germany’s gambling authority, the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), oversees licensing for gambling devices including slot machines. Machines operating without a valid GGL license are considered unauthorized. If these unauthorized machines are further found to breach prohibitions—such as operating without authorization in restricted areas or violating consumer protection rules—they are classified as illegal.
The distinction between unauthorized and illegal slot machines is crucial as Germany’s expanding regulated gambling market aims to control and tax legal operations while suppressing unlicensed and illegal gambling that undermines the market and consumer protections. The legal framework and enforcement focus on shutting down illegal machines, whereas unauthorized ones might be subject to licensing orders or compliance measures before considered strictly illegal.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to gaming laws and regulations in Germany. The penalties for operating illegal slot machines can be severe, including fines and potential imprisonment. It also highlights the need for clear communication between operators and regulatory authorities to ensure compliance and maintain the integrity of the gaming industry.
[1] Source: German Gambling Law and German Gambling Authority
- What about the collaboration between the two brothers in the casino-and-gambling industry, considering the illegally operated slot machine was found in locations besides Überlingen, as suspected by Judge Alexander von Kennel?
- With the increasing regulation and taxation of casino-games like slot machines in Germany, understanding the difference between unauthorized and illegal slot machines becomes crucial, such as the slot machine at the center of the recent general-news story.
- As the case involving two brothers and an illegal slot machine highlights, operating such casino-games without a valid casino-gambling license and adhering to prescribed limits can lead to severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment.
