City's Efforts Falter in Blocking Emergence of Fresh Arcade, Regardless of Prior Acquisition
New Gaming Arcade to Open in Wolfenbüttel City Centre Despite City's Efforts to Ban 'Crazy Games'
A new gaming arcade, specializing in crazy games, is set to open in the heart of Wolfenbüttel, at Okerstraße 4, despite the city administration's efforts to keep such establishments out of the city centre. The new gaming arcade will be operated by the former operator of the small gaming hall at Okerstraße 22, who is looking to hire employees at the end of the month.
The new gaming arcade meets the requirements of the Lower Saxony Gaming Arcade Act (NSpielhG), and the permit for its operation cannot be refused due to the provisions of the same act. The distance to the nearest gaming arcade at the new location is more than 100 meters, as required by § 4 of the NSpielhG.
The city administration aims to ban gaming arcades from the city centre to increase revenue through an amusement tax increase. The amusement tax is set to rise from 20 to 25 percent, with the city administration hoping to collect an additional 150,000 euros. However, the CDU faction warned that such an increase could lead to gaming arcade closures, potentially costing the city around 600,000 euros in annual income.
The city recently purchased the building at Okerstraße 22, previously a small gaming arcade, to prevent the operator from invoking legal protection and reopening the gaming arcade at the same location. However, the operator is undeterred and is moving forward with the opening of the new gaming arcade at Okerstraße 4.
Some city councillors, such as Green councilor Leonhard Prottel, have expressed concerns about the cultural and entertaining value of gaming arcades. Prottel stated that gaming arcades profit from gambling addiction at the expense of the weakest. However, the council ultimately voted in favour of increasing the amusement tax.
Renovation work is already underway at Okerstraße 4 for the new gaming arcade, and the former operator is actively seeking employees for the new establishment. It remains to be seen how the new gaming arcade will be received by the residents and businesses in the Wolfenbüttel city centre.
