Illegal gambling machines and drugs discovered in Pinneberg bar!

Illegal gambling machines and drugs discovered in Pinneberg bar!

In a surprising operation, the Pinneberg city regulatory authority searched a bar in Fahltskamp on June 25, 2025 and seized illegal gambling machines and drugs. How Picture According to reports, the check was approved by a judge at the Itzehoe District Court after there were indications of illegal activity. In total, the officers confiscated three unauthorized slot machines and various narcotics.

Also found were cash amounts in the mid four-digit range as well as cigarette packs and e-cigarettes that were traveling without tax stamps. Police were involved in the raid from 12 p.m. to maintain order. The operator of the bar, a 33-year-old Syrian citizen, is now not only facing legal consequences for violations of the narcotics law, but also further investigations by the Pinneberg criminal police under the direction of the Schleswig Public Prosecutor's Office.

Illegal Gambling: A Widespread Problem

This raid is part of a larger trend in Germany, where illegal gambling is increasingly becoming the focus of authorities. The financial damage caused by organized crime in the country has increased fivefold since 2014 and now amounts to almost three billion euros Mercury reported. In a current large-scale operation, more than 400 police officers in Berlin searched 80 different places, focusing on shisha bars, late bars and cafés.

In total, the authorities suspect that up to 160 illegal slot machines are in operation, which together could have generated up to five million euros. The operation is based on increased cooperation between the judicial administration, public order offices and the public prosecutor's office and aims to combat illegal sources of income.

Studies and statistics about gambling

In order to counteract the challenges of illegal gambling, the gambling supervisory authority regularly examines the economic aspects of the gambling market in Germany. Annual reports on permitted and prohibited gambling market segments have been produced since 2014. These reports, initiated by the GGL, also include research projects to evaluate the State Treaty on Gambling 2021. A study was recently commissioned to examine the black market and the channeling of gambling on the Internet in order to better understand the complex structures. Other statistical surveys, such as the Germany Gambling Atlas 2023, provide valuable data about the gambling market and player protection measures, such as glucksspiel-behoerde.de shows.

The fight against illegal gambling remains an important challenge in Germany. Current developments such as the raid in Pinneberg show that the authorities are actively combating such activities and taking measures to improve the situation and ensure public order.