Illegal gambling in Bavaria: procedures are exploding – the boss warns!

Illegal gambling in Bavaria: procedures are exploding – the boss warns!

The number of investigations into illegal gambling in Bavaria has experienced an alarming increase in recent years. A total of 1,185 procedures were registered in 2022, a significant increase compared to the 762 cases in 2021. In comparison, there were only 77 investigations in 2018. These worrying statistics come from a response from the state government to a request from the Greens in the state parliament, who are intensively addressing the issue.

The finance spokesman for the state parliament Greens, Tim Pargent, emphasizes that illegal gambling is no longer a fringe phenomenon. He criticizes the inadequate financial and human resources of municipalities and law enforcement authorities. In his opinion, the increase in cases is due to inadequate prevention work and the lack of protection for minors. Pargent is therefore calling for more money for controls as well as increased education and prevention measures, especially in the youth sector.

Nationwide trend and increase in the number of cases

Following the Bavarian development, an increase in illegal gambling offenses has also been recorded throughout Germany. The number of cases in Bavaria shows a particularly clear trend: from 77 cases in 2019 to 762 cases in 2023, the number has increased tenfold. This data also comes from a parliamentary question from the state parliament's Green Party and is alarming. In 2021, 335 procedures were recorded in Bavaria, while in 2022 there were already 248, which represents a further increase.

The rapid increase between 2022 and 2023 is particularly noticeable, when the number of procedures tripled. Pargent notes that these case numbers are “through the roof.” This raises questions about the effectiveness of current measures to combat illegal gambling. Critics also complain that the state government has failed to take countermeasures at an early stage in order to take the protection of minors seriously.

demands of the Greens

The Green parliamentary group has formulated several demands on the state government. This includes the need for more staff and better equipment for investigative authorities at state and local levels. In addition, increased cooperation between public order offices, police and law enforcement authorities is required. Pargent warns of the risks of the black market, which endangers particularly vulnerable groups such as gambling addicts and young people.

A key point is the call for prevention and education campaigns to inform the public about the dangers of illegal gambling. The Green Group sees this as a decisive measure to counteract the ever-growing challenges in the area of ​​gambling and the associated crime.

The situation in Bavaria is therefore not just a local problem, but part of a larger nationwide trend that requires urgent measures to protect the population and ensure the proper functioning of gambling.

For further information on the topic you can read the reports Bavarian state newspaper as well as the South German newspaper see.