Officials from the public order office, police and customs searched venues operating as cafés in Berlin’s Marzahn-Hellersdorf district. They checked whether the machines were registered and whether machine revenue exceeded takings from food and drink; the report reported that one venue was functioning as a gaming hall.
The inspections show how authorities are checking suspected illegal gambling operations disguised as cafés.
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Representatives of gambling regulators, law enforcement and industry bodies discussed responses to illegal gambling at the IAGA Conference in Berlin this week. The meeting was the first roundtable established under an MOU signed by the American Gaming Association, European Casino Association and Betting and Gaming Council last October; participants considered national and international strategies and possible joint efforts.
German police seized several gaming machines, cash and mobile phones during searches in Hildesheim on 29 September, the report said. The operation formed part of a wider investigation led by the Hildesheim public prosecutor’s office; 15 defendants are under investigation, but authorities have not specified how many face gambling allegations. The allegations have not been tested in court, and no charges or convictions were announced.
German authorities raided a suspected illegal online gambling network following an investigation exceeding three years. Prosecutors estimate that the operation took billions of euros in stakes while evading German licensing and tax requirements.
German authorities raided a suspected illegal online gambling operation involving €5.8bn. DSWV and DOCV subsequently called for a review of the GGL’s channelisation estimates.
Frankfurt prosecutors said an operation in Germany searched 11 properties following an investigation lasting more than three years into suspected unlicensed online gambling and tax evasion. The investigation covers five suspects and wagering estimated at more than €5.8bn from July 2021 to the end of 2023; authorities also froze assets worth about €82m and executed an arrest warrant.