Illegal Gambling Raid in Kiel Leads to Closure of Establishment

58 Illegal Gambling Machines Seized

In a recent press release, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Police Directorate of Kiel, and the city of Kiel announced a large-scale raid in the Gaarden district on the evening of December 19th. A total of 25 premises and two apartments were searched, resulting in the confiscation of 58 illegal gambling machines, a substantial amount of cash, electronic devices, and several mobile phones.

Response from Officials

The Interior State Secretary, Magdalena Finke, emphasized that the crackdown aimed to combat both illegal gambling and drug-related criminal activities. The coordinated action involved 170 police officers, including units specialized in combating organized crime.

Disposal of Seized Gambling Machines

Following the raid, there have been discussions about the appropriate handling of the confiscated gambling machines. While some advocate for their public destruction to send a clear message against illegal gambling, others argue that the significant resources invested in these raids may not lead to long-term success. Additionally, there is debate over whether the machines should be destroyed or sold, potentially generating funds for cities or charitable causes.

Closure Due to Numerous Violations

In collaboration with the Gewerbeaufsicht (commercial oversight) of the city of Kiel, police officers conducted inspections at various establishments. These revealed evidence of illegal gambling as well as violations of drug, pharmaceutical, and weapon laws. One establishment had committed such blatant violations that the city of Kiel ordered its immediate closure.

In addition to the premises, two apartments were also searched, resulting in the confiscation of various knives and blank-firing guns. The General Prosecutor’s Office of Schleswig-Holstein is responsible for fully analyzing the seized evidence.