In Meschede the consensus is growing behind the notion that the casino laws must be changed, and that gambling activity has grown beyond control. Consequently, the pleasure tax is set to increase, while the number of legal venues will decrease.
Ten million euros are lost in Meschede at the slot machines annually. The city wants to curb this number. As result the city council has decided to increase taxes on gambling.
The city is currently paying about €325,000 in gambling taxes annually. However, the local politicians have said that they would gladly give up this money, which is unusual for a council, which will usually fight tooth and nail for every euro in revenue which it can get.
“I do not need the amusement tax. I would be glad if we had a city free of gambling rooms” said Mayor Christoph Weber.
In the future, there will also be fewer arcades in the city area. Meschede will not quite be arcade-free, but getting on for it.
According to the new State Treaty on Gaming in Germany and the NRW Implementation Act, the concentration of gambling which exists in inner cities is to be curtailed. Venues with multiple licenses may only operate using one in the future.
From April 1st 2018, the amusement tax will be increased by one and a half percent.
