Numerous representatives from the state parliament and the state government of Brandenburg as well as industry representatives accepted the invitation to the parliamentary evening. Georg Stecker, spokesman for the board of directors of the umbrella organization Die Deutsche Automatenwirtschaft, opened the event with a review of the parliamentary deliberations on the Brandenburg arcade law.
Regulation according to qualitative criteria
In doing so, he emphasized the triad of qualitative criteria postulated in the state treaty for the regulation that took place in Brandenburg: “Here in Brandenburg, a regulation was introduced that steers the legal game and at the same time strengthens it. It is important that people find a sufficient number of legal gaming options available. This is the only way to achieve the goals of the State Treaty on Gambling in terms of player and youth protection.”
Micheal Stübgen, Minister of the Interior and Municipal Affairs of the State of Brandenburg, offered best regards on behalf of the state government. In his welcome address, he emphasized the importance of communication between civil society, parliament and government. At the same time, he acknowledged the commitment of the vending machine industry to an offer oriented towards consumer and youth protection.
Consumer protection in the legal arcades
Thomas Breitkopf, 1st Chairman of the Association of Vending Machine Merchants Berlin and East Germany e. V., explained the extensive youth and player protection measures in the industry in his subsequent speech: “You can say that there is nothing on our devices that is not regulated, and that’s a good thing. With our devices, we actively contribute to channeling the gaming instinct in accordance with Section 1 of the State Treaty on Gaming. Our machines are clearly distinguished from illegally set up machines, the number of which has unfortunately increased sharply again in Berlin, not least because of the closure of legal arcades.”
With regard to Brandenburg, Breitkopf made it clear: “In Brandenburg, more than 1,400 qualified employees take care of the 170 arcades and directly implement youth, player and consumer protection. We have one goal, we want to be good and responsible hosts!”
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