Apply for a gaming arcade license

If you wish to operate an amusement arcade commercially, you require a permit.
A permit is also required if you want to operate a business and set up gaming machines with the possibility of winning.
A permit is also required if your business is used to organize other games.
Please ensure that you apply for the permit in good time, as the permit must be available at the start of operations.
 

§ Section 33c of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO)
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewo/__33c.html

• Application forms
• Identity card or passport
• Certificate of good conduct (at the municipality of residence - for submission to an authority)
• Information from the central trade register (at the municipality of residence - for submission to an authority)
• Clearance certificate from the tax office
• Information from the debtor register (local court)
• Floor plan for the premises for the commercial operation of an amusement arcade (in 3 to 5 copies)
• Calculation of usable space
• For new installations: usage permit or building permit from the building authority
• Social concept outlining the measures to be taken to prevent the socially harmful effects of gambling on gaming machines and how these are to be remedied (see Section 6 GlüStV in conjunction with the annex "Guidelines on preventing and combating gambling addiction" to the GlüStV)

If necessary, further documents can be requested.

• You must have the necessary reliability to operate a gaming arcade. As a rule, you do not have this if you have been convicted of a crime, theft, embezzlement, extortion, receiving stolen goods, money laundering, concealment of unlawfully obtained assets, fraud, breach of trust, illegal organization of a game of chance, participation in illegal gambling or an offence under Section 27 of the Youth Protection Act within the last three years prior to submitting the application.
• You must be living in orderly financial circumstances: no insolvency proceedings have been opened against your assets or rejected for lack of assets.
• The premises intended for the operation of the business must meet police requirements in terms of their condition and location and must be suitable for the operation of an arcade.
• There is no danger to young people or excessive exploitation of the gambling instinct to be feared through the operation of your business. No harmful effects on the environment within the meaning of the Federal Immission Control Act or a nuisance to the general public, neighbors or an existing facility in the public interest are to be expected.

No application deadlines apply. However, the activity may only begin once the two aforementioned permits have been issued. The application should therefore be submitted in good time so that the necessary application review can be completed before the planned start of the activity.

• Application for a gambling license
• Application for a gaming license Annex 1 Multiple representatives
• Application for a gaming license Annex 2 Gaming arcade management
• Application for a gambling license Annex 3 Declaration of commitment