Paderborn gambling gang active again immediately after access!

Just before Christmas 2024, two Paderborn residents who allegedly amassed a small fortune with the help of illegal slot machines made headlines. The two were caught during a raid. Several gaming machines, as well as luxury cars, Rolex watches and other valuables, were among the items seized. The investigation is ongoing. You would think that this would put an end to the scam. But far from it: the perpetrators have now been caught again brokering illegal games of chance. This time the handcuffs clicked.

Some people just don't learn - or perhaps they are too sure of themselves: Paderborn police announced in a press release on March 10, 2025 that two suspects under investigation for illegal gambling had been provisionally arrested because they had continued their illegal business unperturbed. There had apparently been indications of this for some time. The police reacted and intervened as early as mid-February.

The 45-year-old mastermind was already known to the police at the time. Why? Well, who can guess? Actually illegal gambling. The offense in question dates back to November 2022. Even back then, an illegal gambling venue disguised as a harmless club was (of course) busted. Despite prosecution, the scam does not appear to be going unnoticed.

This begs the question: How can this be? Are the penalties for illegal gambling so low that multiple convictions can really be accepted here? What does the accused now face for the third offense? We took a closer look at the case.

Casino with table games and slot machines, now disguised as a co-working space

New front, old tricks: as the previous disguises had probably become too risky, the main suspects resorted to a fresh strategy. Instead of pulling off the club scam again, this time they were particularly innovative. Their illegal casino was simply passed off as a co-working space. The address: Alois-Lödige-Straße in Paderborn. But instead of freelancers and start-up founders, gamblers filled the rooms.

When the police entered the building, the scene was similar to the previous raids: 18 people were sitting at gaming tables, engrossed in poker and other card games. In another corner, seven men were pressing the buttons of illegal gambling machines. The players ranged in age from 31 to 55. Some of those present had even been there in December when the investigators had last raided a similar establishment. The officers were particularly struck by the 45-year-old and his 32-year-old accomplice, who had also appeared in the files several times before.

• The police again seized all the gaming tables, gaming machines and other equipment.
• Around 20,000 euros in cash was also found in the bags and on the tables - presumably the evening's takings.
  
  

Additional proceedings are now underway against the two main suspects - this time for organizing illegal gambling. However, it is not only the operators who now have to answer for their actions again. The players present are also under investigation for participating in illegal gambling.

The creativity of the masterminds is quite remarkable - but in the end they ended up exactly where they have been so often before: in the sights of the police. How many more times will this game go on before the consequences become a real deterrent?

Also interesting in this context: the head of the Hagen gambling hall clan was only arrested at the end of 2024 after a long manhunt - among other things for involvement in tax evasion of 48 million euros!

What are the penalties - do the suspects have nothing to fear?

These brazen repeat offenses raise the question of possible consequences. A look at the German Criminal Code (StGB) provides clear answers and makes it clear that the suspects should not be too sure.

§ Section 284 StGB deals with the unauthorized organization of games of chance:

"Anyone who publicly organizes or holds a game of chance or provides the facilities for this without official permission shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years or a fine."

However, if the offender acts commercially or as a member of a gang, the punishment can be increased to a prison sentence of at least three months and up to five years. These conditions could well be met in the case of the Paderborn gambling gang.

Section 285 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) applies to those who participate in such illegal games of chance:

"Anyone who participates in a public [unauthorized] game of chance (Section 284) shall be punished with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to one hundred and eighty daily rates."

This means that the gamblers found will also have to be prepared for considerable repercussions.

In the case of the masterminds, there is also the factor of a repeat offense. Repeat offenders generally have to expect much harsher sanctions, especially if they also act commercially or as part of a gang.

What do they face now? The justice system shows little leniency to repeat offenders:

• As they have not only facilitated gambling, but actively organized it, the sanctions could be set at the upper end of the sentencing range - meaning several years in prison.
• The repeated offense within a short period of time argues against lenient treatment by the court. It is unlikely that they will get away with another suspended sentence.
• Should the court recognize a criminal organization or a commercial structure, the sentence could be even harsher.

Source of the image: Screenshot from https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/55625/5987228

Central text sources: https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/55625/5987228, https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stgb/