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Around 200 officers deployed – numerous violations detected, fines of over 30,000 euros threatened
GROSS-GERAU DISTRICT 200 officers a total of 65 arcades, restaurants, kiosks, shisha bars and other establishments throughout the Gross-Gerau district on Wednesday evening (August 27) 398 people were checked .
In addition to forces from the South Hesse Police Headquarters and the Hessian Riot Police, the main customs office, the tax investigation office, the tax office, the Darmstadt Regional Council, employees of the Groß-Gerau district, as well as the responsible public order and trade offices, building authorities and city police forces were also involved.
Results of the checks
The balance sheet is extensive:
- Four investigations for illegal gambling and one further investigation for involvement in it
- Violations of the weapons law, residence law and tobacco tax law
- 103 administrative offense proceedings for violations of the gaming regulations
- 11 proceedings for violations of the State Treaty on Gambling
- 53 proceedings under the Hessian Gaming Hall Act
- Further violations of trade law, building regulations and hygiene standards
The operators face fines exceeding 30,000 euros .
Notable individual cases
- In Groß-Gerau, an unauthorized passageway was discovered in two restaurants, containing four slot machines – two of which had playing cards permanently inserted. One establishment had to be closed immediately due to serious structural defects. In addition, nearly nine kilograms of untaxed shisha tobacco seized.
- In Gernsheim, inspectors found open slot machines with no staff present. Violations of youth protection and fire safety regulations led to the machines being sealed.
- A woman was found in an accommodation establishment in Ginsheim-Gustavsburg
- In Nauheim, police seized an illegal slot machine containing over €1,000 in cash . Investigations revealed that it used since May 2025 with more than €100,000 in stakes .
- In Raunheim and Kelsterbach, numerous slot machines were being played twice or operated without a valid inspection sticker.
- In Mörfelden-Walldorf, the emergency services found five illegal slot machines containing around 7600 euros in cash , as well as ten kilograms of untaxed shisha tobacco .
Consequences
In addition to criminal investigations, gambling operations were shut down, slot machines confiscated, and premises closed in several cases. Violations of cash handling regulations, hygiene deficiencies, and illegal employment are also being prosecuted under criminal and administrative law.
(GROSS-GERAU – REd/oto)
Featured image: ots
