Gambling hotspot in small Hessian town on New Year's Eve? Between custom and legal issues

Regional traditions and customs are often very special. This is also the case in the Hessian town of Laubach, which belongs to the district of Giessen: here, the locals get into a real dice fever at the turn of the year. Throughout the town, people gamble in cafés, bakeries, restaurants and pubs. Young and old are involved. It's all about gaming tables, croupiers, bets, luck and (often tasty) wins. Real gambling for everyone - or just a nice, fun leisure activity?

The turn of the year is something of an unofficial season of customs and traditions in Germany. From north to south, from east to west: everywhere there are celebrations, bangs and laughter. Often garnished with regional peculiarities that range from the bizarre to the spectacular.

And then there's New Year's Eve dice throwing in Hesse. Okay, perhaps not quite as well-known as the rituals just mentioned, but a real highlight for fans of luck and excitement. Especially in the small Hessian town of Laubach, idyllically situated at the foot of the Vogelsberg, this custom is cult. Here's how it works: you bet a small amount - entry fee, you could say - and try to roll the highest number of dice. Whoever wins wins prizes, which vary depending on the bet (more on this later). Sounds simple? It is, but that's where the appeal lies. And the whole thing isn't just organized privately in some parlour. No, numerous stores take part and there are real croupiers who run the game - almost like in small, charming casinos. Also interesting at the turn of the year: the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) has just published a report on 2024 - and it's pretty positive.

But wait a minute: Is this really gambling or just an endearing custom with a strong sense of fun and community? How does it fit in with the rules and laws? We take a look at the 2024 New Year's Eve dice throwing in Laubach and want to take a closer look at how such a traditional event should be assessed in terms of gambling law.

New Year's Eve dice throwing 2024 in Laubach: a real spectacle according to local press reports

Laubach has done it again - New Year's Eve was all about the dice and, according to the local press, was celebrated in high spirits and tradition. From café to restaurant, from ice cream parlor to pizzeria: the dice cups rattled everywhere, people chatted, shook and cheered.

But how does the whole thing actually work? And what was there to win? Here's a look behind the scenes of the "gambling dorado" Laubach, which dominated the headlines of the local newspapers last week.

Here's how it works: The rules in Laubach

The rules of New Year's Eve dice rolling are simple, but with a twist:

1. Each player throws until two of the three dice show the same number.
2. The sum of the three dice decides - the highest wins.
3. Is there a tie? Then it goes into extra time, i.e. an exciting play-off.

Bets? They vary. From ten cents to five euros - depending on the location and potential win. As always, children could also take part, but usually together with a parent or guardian.

What would a game of chance be without wins? In Laubach, the selection was once again as colorful as the participants and locations

A look at the venues that made their premises available for the New Year's Eve dice game and the prizes on offer shows just how popular the custom is in the region. As reported in the Gießener Anzeiger, among others, the players were warmly welcomed in no fewer than eight establishments.

• At Café Göbel (Friedrichstraße 2): Cakes, pretzels and lucky marzipan pigs were in the pot.
• At the Venezia ice cream parlor (Bahnhofstraße 8): Vouchers - and there was a special rule for the brave.
• At Café Seligmacherei (Obere Langgasse 18): Donut boxes for sweet moments in the new year.
• In the restaurant "Das Litfass" (Obere Langgasse 12): It was "all about the sausage" - literally.
• In the "Schützenhof" sports bar (Hungener Straße 2): Hearty smoked meats also awaited the sausage eaters here - and a sporty ambience included.

Eiscafé Venezia offered a special treat on top: in addition to the regular coupons, the lucky ones could double their win - provided they managed to roll a double-double. The reason for this topping is the 60th anniversary, which is coming up in 2025. A real bonus, if you like. Incidentally, we recently looked at the question of whether you can use a casino bonus with strategy to increase your chances of winning.

A community experience for all generations

New Year's Eve dice rolling was not just for adults. The youngest Laubach residents also got involved. The Gießener Anzeiger newspaper refers to two-year-old Flora, for example - her attempts to roll the dice drew rapturous looks and plenty of applause.

The atmosphere? Simply terrific! We read about a "special atmosphere of togetherness" or a "playful and communal" end to the year. The participating stores not only provided prizes, but also created a festive atmosphere: with lovingly decorated gaming tables, cheerful croupiers and plenty of excitement.

How should traditional New Year's Eve dice rolling be classified in terms of German gambling law?

Everything easy or legally tricky? Of course, throwing dice is first and foremost a game of chance. But does the Laubach New Year's Eve tradition have to be strictly classified as such under German law? Is it possibly even in breach of current regulations, as the dice rounds are open to everyone and even children take part?

What does the law say?

According to Section 284 of the German Criminal Code (StGB), illegal gambling is prohibited in Germany. But before we drop the dice cup in shock, a few details.

1. At the New Year's Eve dice roll in Laubach, you pay a small bet - check!
2. The roll of the dice decides the win - also check!

That sounds a bit like gambling, doesn't it? But wait, now it's getting tricky. Incidentally, scratch cards are a game of chance that is often not immediately recognized as such: We recently did an interesting self-experiment on possible wins here.

Exceptions prove the rule

Not all games of chance are the same. There are exceptions and they could apply here:

• Non-profit status: many types of gambling that are organized for a good cause or for charitable events fall under special regulations. If the New Year's Eve dice bets were donated to local projects or organizations, for example, this could ease the legal framework.
• Private events: As soon as a game takes place in a closed circle, it is generally not classified as public gambling. As dice rolling in Laubach mainly takes place in cafés and restaurants, this could pass as a semi-private setting.

And the issue of children?

A tricky point: children also take part in New Year's Eve dice throwing - that sounds critical at first.

• Protection of minors: According to Section 6 of the German Youth Protection Act (JuSchG), children and young people are strictly prohibited from participating in public games of chance.
• BUT: If children play along without having to bet real money and are only there for fun and under adult supervision, this could pass as a harmless pastime: Especially if no wins of monetary value are handed out.

Laubach dice throwing: legal or not?

From a legal perspective, New Year's Eve dice throwing in Laubach actually walks a fine line. It meets the criteria of a game of chance, but is mitigated by its community character, tradition and possible charitable background. The authorities probably turn a blind eye here, as long as the stakes remain low:

• The bets remain low.
• Children only play "symbolically".
• The event has no commercial focus.

Real illegal gambling was uncovered shortly before Christmas in Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia, where investigators arrested a multi-million euro gambling gang that had operated manipulated machines and amassed millions.

Source of the image: https://pixabay.com/photos/dice-cup-game-dice-cup-3d-craps-4363229/