In short: A maximum of two gaming machines with cash or goods prizes may be installed in a pub or restaurant. This has been laid down in Section 3(1) of the Gaming Ordinance (§ 3 Abs. 1 Spielverordnung, SpielV) since 10 November 2019. Amusement machines without prizes, such as darts machines, table football, pool tables or pinball machines, do not count towards this.

What the Gaming Ordinance says exactly

Under Section 3(1) SpielV, a maximum of two gaming machines with cash or goods prizes may be installed in bars and restaurants, accommodation businesses and betting shops. For machines with several player positions, each player position counts as a separate machine. Until 9 November 2019 the limit was three machines; many older guides online still quote this figure.

In addition, the ordinance requires the machine operator to ensure, through constant supervision and technical safeguards, that children and young people do not play (§ 6 Jugendschutzgesetz, the Youth Protection Act).

What does not count towards the maximum

The limit only applies to machines with prizes. Darts machines, table football, pool and pinball are amusement machines and may be installed in addition. Many pubs therefore combine two gaming machines with a darts machine.

Is my venue suitable at all?

Gaming machines may only be installed in the businesses listed in Section 1 SpielV. On application, the local regulatory authority (Ordnungsamt) confirms that the site is suitable (certificate of suitability under § 33c Abs. 3 Gewerbeordnung, the Trade Regulation Act). It is refused, for example, if the machines would cause the pub or restaurant to lose its focus on food and drink. How strictly the authority looks at floor area and layout varies from city to city.

And in amusement arcades?

A different rule applies there: no more than one gaming machine per twelve square metres of floor area, no more than twelve in total, installed in groups of no more than two machines with spacing or a privacy screen (§ 3 Abs. 2 SpielV).

What this means for you as a venue owner

If Vengi installs the machines, you do not need an operator's licence or the briefing by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK-Unterrichtung) yourself. We prepare the application for the certificate of suitability with you, install the machines free of charge and take care of service and accounting.

Sources: § 3 SpielV, § 1 SpielV, § 6 JuSchG. As of November 2026. This article does not constitute legal advice.