Legislation
German industry executives highlight issues with illegal market and entertainment tax
By Phil - 18 April 2024
Numerous members of the state parliament of Rhineland-Palatinate, representatives of the state government and other associations accepted aninvitation to the parliamentary evening of the German umbrella organisation Die Deutsche Automatenwirtschaft (DAW) and the Automaten-Verband Rheinland-Pfalz.
In the forum of the State Museum in Mainz, around 70 participants exchanged views on the current political situation and the general conditions of the industry in Rhineland-Palatinate.
The event was opened by Vice-President of the State Parliament Kathrin Anklam-Trapp MdL, who welcomed the guests on behalf of the State Parliament. In her welcoming address in connection with gambling, she referred to the difficult area of tension between the free choice of the individual and the general protection against health and financial risks. Since 2021, the Interstate Treaty on Gambling has provided a reliable legal framework to curb gambling addiction and manipulation. “Open exchange is important: we need to talk about how protection and prevention measures can be even more effective on the one hand and how the legal market can remain economically viable on the other,” said Anklam-Trapp.
Georg Stecker, spokesman of the board of directors of DAW, said that the state of Rhineland-Palatinate has a moderate and moderate gambling regulation, even compared to neighbouring federal states, but in his welcoming speech he drew attention to the dramatic spread of illegal gambling offers throughout Germany.
He told those present about the “Round Table”, which was newly launched last year, in which representatives of the vending machine industry exchange views on measures against illegality with the responsible ministries of the federal and state governments and the municipal umbrella associations.
“The evaluation of the Gaming Ordinance is currently one of the most important topics. In addition to strong enforcement, we need a sufficiently available and demand-driven supply that meets the demands of our consumers. This is the only way we will be able to effectively combat illegality,” said Mr Stecker.
State Secretary Nicole Steingaß spoke on behalf of the state government, giving a positive report card to the regulation in Rhineland-Palatinate: “The Rhineland-Palatinate State Gambling Act is a successful model with which we have adopted the regulations that both take into account the interests of the industry and pursue the goal of comprehensively guaranteeing the protection of gamblers and young people. In addition, Rhineland-Palatinate has a powerful and effective gambling supervisory authority in the form of the ADD. Thanks to regular inspections, a legally compliant and safe gambling offer is guaranteed by both state supervision and the operator. We can be proud of this joint success.”
Michael Thiery, 1st Chairman of the Rhineland-Palatinate Vending Machine Association, added: “In addition to the illegal market and the lack of personnel, the entertainment tax is particularly important to us entrepreneurs. As an installation company and arcade operator, it is not possible for us to pass on rising tax rates to our guests. The entire tax burden lies with us – as well as the further rising costs. At the same time, we are unrivalled in the face of the illegal market. This calculation cannot add up. Under such conditions, economic operation is no longer possible in many places. The consequences for the municipalities are a lack of entertainment tax revenues and unregulated gambling without any consumer protection.”
Caption: From left to right: Michael Thiery, State Secretary Nicole Steingaß, State Secretary Petra Dick-Walther, Georg Stecker, Vice-President of the State Parliament Anklam-Trapp, Maximilian Fiel (Commissioner for State Communications in Rhineland-Palatinate)
