Hendrik Streeck, the Federal Government’s Drug and Addiction Officer for the CDU, has called for a much firmer approach from federal and state levels concerning illegal gambling. Speaking to “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” Streeck stated that Germany is facing a situation he described as “highly dangerous and threatening to undermine our society”. He stressed that the issue goes far beyond mere arcade machines in back rooms; it involves organized criminal activity, money laundering, and substantial profits gained at the expense of vulnerable, addictive individuals. According to Streeck, the state must take swifter and more decisive action: “Those who make money through addiction and illegality should not feel safe in Germany”.
Streeck warned that there is a “massive enforcement problem” within the country. Given that illegal gambling can generate millions in illicit profits, he argued that there is a critical need for increased oversight, improved cooperation between states and the federal government, and more stringent criminal prosecution. Authorities must be empowered to better identify structured criminal outfits, secure evidence, and remove illegal offerings quickly, whether they operate as concealed local machines or online.
Furthermore, Streeck pointed to a specific legal gap concerning illegal slot machines where the winnings are not automatically dispensed by the machine but are paid out covertly by personnel. This method makes it legally challenging to prove that gambling actually took place. Because of this, he suggested that the government should examine whether operating such manipulated or non-licensed machines should be subject to consistently criminal penalty. He emphasized that the state cannot be allowed to circumvent the law. “Whoever organizes illegal gambling, exploits addiction, launders money, and undermines the rule of law-the state must respond with clarity and toughness”.
