Spielbanken

If you want to set up or operate a casino, you will need a license. This is only awarded through a Europe-wide invitation to tender. It is not possible to apply to operate a casino without a prior invitation to tender. Only one concession is awarded. In addition, an operating license is issued for each casino. You can apply for a concession as a natural person, legal entity, partnership or other association as the holder of rights and obligations.

The relevant casino law in North Rhine-Westphalia aims to prevent and combat gambling and betting addiction. It also aims to counteract illegal gambling and protect young people and players. In addition, the legislation is intended to make gaming operations safer and more transparent.

4 casinos are licensed in North Rhine-Westphalia. A further 2 casinos may be licensed. The 4 existing casinos are located in Aachen, Hohensyburg, Duisburg and Bad Oeynhausen.

Certain groups of people, such as minors, are not permitted to visit. In addition, people who are banned due to gambling addiction are not allowed to play. The casino staff will check your identity and age when you visit. They will also check whether the player is banned from gambling. Casino operators are also obliged to keep a register of visitors.

During your stay in the casinos, you will be under video surveillance.

Casino operators must pay a casino tax amounting to at least 30% of the gross gaming revenue. The casino levy may be increased in the case of particularly high gross gaming revenues.

The documents to be submitted as part of the Europe-wide invitation to tender are specified in the invitation to tender. The written form is required. Mandatory documents are set out in the Spielbankgesetz NRW, including

• -general information on the applicant,
• -address,
• -name of the contact person,
• - current extract from the commercial register,
• -Certificate in tax matters from the responsible tax office,
• police clearance certificate
• Written self-declaration by the applicant regarding financial circumstances
• Information on gaming operations,
• Information on the range of games,
• details of the staff,
• Information on the protection of the player
• Information on data protection,
• Information on advertising
• Information on the security concept.

You must be reliable in terms of gambling law. This involves checking whether you have complied with laws and regulations in the past.

The procedure is as follows:

• The procedure is governed by the Act against Restraints of Competition (GWB).
• This results from Section 16 of the NRW Gaming Bank Act.
• Accordingly, the contract will be awarded to the bidder whose offer best meets the specified criteria for the intended term of the concession in terms of achieving the objectives of Section 1 of the Spielbankgesetz NRW and results in an overall economic advantage.

• Casinos
• License required for construction and operation
• Awarded following a Europe-wide invitation to tender
• only one concession will be awarded
• an additional operating license is required for each casino
• possible holder of a concession:
  • natural person,
  • legal entity,
  • partnerships
  • other associations as holders of rights and obligations
• Objectives of the legal regulation:
  • Preventing and combating gambling addiction and betting addiction
  • Counteracting unauthorized gambling
  • Protection of young people and players
  • Safe and transparent gaming operations
• 4 casinos are licensed in North Rhine-Westphalia, 2 further casinos can be licensed
• currently existing locations:
  • Aachen
  • Hohensyburg
  • Duisburg
  • Bad Oeynhausen
• Underage persons and persons barred due to gambling addiction are not permitted in casinos
• Casinos check the identity and age of visitors and whether the player is barred from gambling
• Casino operators keep a register of visitors to the casino
• video surveillance is carried out in casinos
• Casinos must pay a casino levy of at least 30% of the gross gaming revenue; an increase is possible if the gross gaming revenue is high
• Responsible: the ministry responsible for gambling supervision