DAW and NAV discuss gambling rules and taxes at Bremen event
Regulation1 min read
DAW and NAV held their first joint parliamentary evening in Bremen on 11 November, where politicians and gaming-machine industry representatives discussed illegal gambling, amusement tax and conditions for legal venues. DAW's Georg Stecker argued that tighter rules for legal operators could favour the black market, while NAV chair Detlev Graß said rising amusement tax was putting local businesses under pressure. Germany's planned revision of the Gaming Ordinance was also raised.
German gaming-machine associations DAW and NAV held their first joint parliamentary evening in Bremen on 11 November 2026, with politicians and industry representatives attending.
DAW board spokesperson Georg Stecker said increasingly strict rules for legal commercial gaming machines could encourage the spread of the illegal market. He said legal venues needed an economic future in Bremen and that a competitive legal offer was necessary for consumer and youth protection.
NAV chair Detlev Graß said rising amusement tax was putting businesses under pressure and could eventually threaten their survival. He said further restrictions on legal gambling could push people towards uncontrolled and illegal offers. Graß called for regulation that protects consumers and young people while allowing legal businesses to continue operating.
Wiebke Winter, leader of the CDU parliamentary group in Bremen, called for dialogue on the challenges facing local businesses. She said gambling needed clear rules, consumer and youth protection, action against illegal offers and reliable conditions for compliant businesses.
Stecker said a joint position paper from DAW and the police union GdP supported the need for a competitive legal offer. He said the forthcoming revision of Germany’s Gaming Ordinance offered an opportunity to give that connection greater consideration.