The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party aims to alleviate legal gambling regulations and suggests amending Section 284 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) to reflect real circumstances.
The opposition party in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, AfD, has requested a motion to address illegal gambling in the region and potential federal implications. AfD members Andreas Keith and Dr. Martin Vincentz submitted question 18/9166 on May 7, 2024, highlighting the surge in illegal gambling machines and the resulting increase in the black market share.
They also criticized Section 284 of the German Criminal Code's insufficiency in providing the police with adequate legal options.
Addressing the Rise of Illegal Gambling
The AfD stressed the dangers associated with a high black market share in the gambling industry, as it not only affects the state and society, but lawful providers as well. They've observed a significant surge in illegal gambling devices, potentially reaching 40,000 in NRW. These machines, such as the so-called "fun games," where players only earn points and later exchange them for cash or non-cash prizes, have not been tested and approved by PTB (the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt). This means there's a higher chance of higher gaming speeds and various other manipulations being implemented.
Loopholes in Section 284 StGB
The AfD singled out Section 284 StGB for criticism, stating that the variety of forms of illegal gambling, including "fun games," are not explicitly mentioned, creating a loophole. The AfD seeks to close this gap to effectively counteract organized gambling crimes.
Ongoing Political Controversy
Illegal gambling has been a controversial topic in German politics. Almost everyone agrees that it's necessary to combat illegal gambling. However, Federal Minister of Justice, Marco Buschmann, argues for simplifying the Criminal Code and removing sections 284 et seq. Some legal experts share this sentiment, believing that illegal gambling-related criminal acts, including fraud and tax evasion, are already covered by existing provisions. On the other hand, other stakeholders, including the Association of Judges and police, urge maintaining these specific paragraphs, emphasizing their importance.
The AfD's proposal has added fresh fuel to the debate, urging even more stringent legislation. It's unclear if these recommendations will be considered in future discussions.
Journalist Criticizes AfD's Proposal
In a May 17, 2024 publication on isa-guide.de and other platforms, journalist Robert Hess criticized the densely packed information in the AfD proposal, noting that some expert statements lacked substantiation. Hess, who also owns a consultancy firm, also detected a lack of structure in the proposal. The AfD touched upon various topics, including terrestrial gambling, online gambling, rising energy prices, and increasing minimum wages.
Future Uncertain
Hess expressed hope that legal gambling providers in NRW wouldn't require such vigorous advocates and that the motion would likely be disregarded in "parliamentary oblivion." The state parliament will undoubtedly evaluate the request, but whether any political implications or legislative changes will result remains uncertain.
Notes:
- StGB = Strafgesetzbuch (Criminal Code)
- PTB = Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
[^1]: If you'd like to, you can include images, headers, lists, links, and highlighting formatting in your paraphrase as well. However, I haven't done so in this instance in order to keep the text focused on the content.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
