Is my home game legal? (1 Viewer)

[vancho]

Yo,

I live in Germany and host tournaments from time to time. Buy in is 20€ and all of it goes to the first placen, I keep nothing. In the early years I charged 3€ per person to finance the tables and chips I bought. But I wonder if I'm on the legal side of things. Perhaps any of my fellow German poker enthusiasts here knows what the legal situation is is Germany?

 

[JScott]

A quick google search says it’s not. Apparently all gambling outside of casinos is forbidden.

We all know how reliable the internet is though. But I’m not sure how strict your local police are. Technically speaking speeding at x over is illegal everywhere but you’ll almost never get a ticket for it.

 

[RocAFella1]

@DerberAlter
@anstossfreak
@superchromix

 

[cosmokramer]

It is legal, as long as it‘s private and not „habitual“.
This means, as long as your home isn‘t open to the public, it’s just friends by invitation and you don‘t do it for example every friday, you‘re fine.
You can read up §§284,285 StGB.

 

[SeanGecko]

Don't illegal things at your illegal thing. You should be fine. Orrrr not

 

[PrOnAddict]

Did send you a German PM, but basically what cosmokramer said.

Sadly outside casino's in Germany, ~€15 seems to be the limit of what individuals can legally wager per day. And it must not be habitual. That in part also explains the larger local need for micro stakes labels and unfortunately the lesser interest in Poker generally.

Maybe do a 6-max tourney setup with €5 Buyin +1 Rebuy and 1 Addon paying ~70% for 1st and ~30% for 2nd? Just gotta have ways to entertain the bust outs.

Rather weird that in Germany you can still log onto stars and play for whatever, but we have so hard restrictions on home games.

 

[vancho]

Thanks to all. I will never host a game again

 

[JScott]

Just make the buy in 15€ per game and roll a dice as to when it’ll be held. That way it’s not habitual.

The govt always knows best. Obey, consume, conform. And always bring enough bubblegum. (Points if you get that reference)

 

[vancho]

I think you misunderstood my wink

 

[PrOnAddict]

No plaintiff, no judge.

Have seen home games around where the 15€ wouldn't even cover the mandatory straddle. Just know your participants and you will be fine.

 

[JScott]

I think you misunderstood my wink

Nope, I got it. My comment was equally tongue in cheek.

And it could be because I’m on mobile and smilies aren’t working on my posts. Haha