Gambling - Apply for a permission for bookmaker location (betting office)

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Please note delays in processing!

The Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises is currently introducing new software for processing commercial law matters in Berlin's public order offices. This involves migrating extensive data sets. In addition, the new software must be integrated into workflows and the product further adapted for use in Berlin's public order offices. Due to this comprehensive system changeover, there may be delays in the processing of commercial law matters.
Such challenges are common during software conversions. We are actively working to stabilise the processes as soon as possible. Your applications and notifications will be processed as quickly as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding!

Please note: By submitting your business registration, you have already fulfilled your obligation under Section 14 (1) of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO). You can commence your commercial activities immediately after registration. However, this does not apply to activities that require official approval. The confirmation of your business registration is not an administrative act, but merely an acknowledgment of receipt of your registration. The delay in processing will not result any disadvantages for you under commercial law.

As a matter of principle, you may only practise the bookmaking trade terrestrially on site,
  • either directly on the facilities at horse racecourses or
  • away from racecourses within specially permitted locations (betting offices).

Organising and brokering horse bets on the internet is generally prohibited. Exemptions from the ban on horse betting on the internet can be applied for until 30.06.2021 in a nationwide procedure at the Darmstadt Regional Council (see "Further information").

Procedure:
  1. You apply for a permission for a terrestrial bookmaker location at the Senate Department responsible for economics.
  2. Your application will be examined by the competent authority.
  3. If there are no grounds for denial, you will receive a permit after the procedure has been completed.
The permission can be granted with a time limit or a reservation of revocation or can be linked to a condition or a reservation of subsequent inclusion, modification or amendment of a condition.

Notes:
  • The commercial brokering of bets or the placing of bets on horses without permission is illegal gambling. This can be punished by imprisonment for up to two years or a monetary penalty.
  • Please note that you are only allowed to offer cash games or sports betting in bookmaker locations with a separate licence (see "Further information"). A triple offer of horse betting, gambling machines with the possibility of winning and sports betting in one location is not allowed.

Prerequisites

  • Bookmaker's permission
    The application for bookmaker location can only be made by a bookmaker.
  • Suitability of the rooms
    The practice of the bookmaking trade is only possible within a bookmaker locality. This must be suitable for the purpose of use. The suitability must be proven by evidence from the building and town planning office.
  • Suitability of the location
    • a minimum distance of 500 metres from other permitted bookmaker locations (including their own), gambling halls, casinos and betting centres for sports betting
    • no physical proximity to children and youth facilities

Documents required

  • Application - Bookmaker's trade
    (see "Forms")
    • Submit the application in text form by post or electronically.
  • Bookmaker's permission
    Copy of the permission document and the notice as bookmaker
  • Ground plan
    Ground plan of the rooms intended for the bookmaking trade (preferably on a scale of 1:100).
  • Change of use of structural facilities/building permission
    The bookmaker's location must be suitable for the use of the trade. For example, if you want to use a location permitted by the building authority as a restaurant as a bookmaker location, this change of use must be permitted in advance by the building authority. A copy of the relevant building permit must be enclosed.
  • Certificate of clearance from the town planning office
    The town planning office certifies with a clearance certificate that there are no objections from a town planning point of view against a bookmaker location at the address you intend to use.
  • Purchase, rental or lease agreement or extract from the land register
    Evidence is required that you have actual control over the facilities. In the application procedure, a pre-letting agreement for the business premises is sufficient; until permission is granted, you must submit a copy of the final lease agreement or, in the case of ownership, an extract from the land register.

Forms

Fees

EUR 200 to EUR 500, depending on the administrative effort

Legal basis

More information

Notes on responsibility

The permission to operate a terrestrial bookmakers' location in the Federal State of Berlin must be applied for at the Senate Department responsible for economic affairs.

Your point of contact

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