Unnoticed for a long time: A gang involved in Bingo fraud at a retirement home has been apprehended.
The dark world of illegal gambling hides in the secret corners of society. It's not just found in run-down back rooms of seedy bars but right under our noses, even in places like the Riehler Heimstätten, the biggest retirement home in Cologne. They played their games openly, right in the large dining room. Every Tuesday, the residents of the retirement home would fall prey to the allure of risk. Their game of choice was bingo, where cash was exchanged for playing cards costing up to a Euro. They strived to be the first to mark the numbers called out and win one of the main prizes - sometimes even chocolates! The organizers smartly used two of the most irresistible vices, gambling and chocolate addiction, to lure in the residents.
But was this activity legal in Germany? Highly unlikely. However, the faceless bureaucracy was clueless about the deepening abyss, possibly with the knowledge of the home management. For years, it went unnoticed. Then, a vigilant auditor came along and discovered the paper trail. On this piece of paper, a seemingly innocuous receipt read "Bingo prizes".
Could it be? Could the house actually be running bingo for non-cash prizes? Thankfully, the righteous auditor knew what to do. He shared his disturbing suspicions with the lawyers at Sozial-Betriebe-Köln (SBK). They carefully compared the facts with the law. Was there money involved? Yes, in the form of betting. Were winning chocolates distributed? Yes, sometimes even chocolates. Was the game opened to the public? Yes, everyone was allowed to take part. Clearly, it was a case of gambling, a practice that requires a license in Germany.
The struggle for legality
The SBK acted swiftly and banned all future bingo games. With this quick action, they might just have earned some leniency from the authorities. Dr. Stephan Keller, the city director, promised prompt and "unbureaucratic" assistance. The public order office just had to be informed about all bingo dates in a "unbureaucratic" manner so they could grant approval. But only for the next three months. After that, the official district government would step in to continue the licensing process. It appears that the residents of the home are now about to embark on a thrilling journey into the world of legit chocolate bingo.
These shocking events in Cologne have made headlines internationally. This case is a prime example of how efficient German gambling laws are in place. The legalization of bingo games for elderly residents in such retirement homes, a major issue hidden from the spotlight with a turnover of hundreds of euros, has made rapid and easy progress. However, it's not impossible that other bingo rings are still operating in the shadows of the many retirement homes across Germany. This could explain why the authorities are generally uninterested in regulating niche activities like online gambling.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
