Are the cities of Kassel and Wiesbaden planning an online casino?

As was announced almost a fortnight ago, the city of Kassel is planning to open its own online casino together with Wiesbaden and Lotto Hessen. This will offer online casino games such as roulette and blackjack. However, the project has already been loudly criticised by addiction experts and others.

It was only on 15 March that we at GambleJoe reported that the first online casino games are now available in Bavaria. Unfortunately, the offer is aimed exclusively at players residing in Bavaria. However, if the city of Kassel has its way, gambling enthusiasts residing in Hesse will soon be able to enjoy exciting online casino games. The aim of the project is to curb illegal gambling. The Hessische / Niedersächsische Allgemeine (HNA) first reported on this.

Investment of at least 150,000 euros required

The project is to be realised by the cities of Kassel and Wiesbaden in cooperation with the operating companies of the casinos in the cities. According to current estimates, the development of an online casino for online casino games would cost around 150,000 euros. The city of Kassel is expected to pay around 30,000 euros of this. The investment risk is currently considered to be low due to the high expected revenue.

However, the project still has a certain flavour to it. As recently as February, the coalition in Kassel rejected the budget applications of the Kassel Youth Ring. The youth organisation had also applied for 30,000 euros in budget funds.

The reason given for the rejection was that there was no money available. However, the money is now apparently available for the opening of a state-run online gaming centre.

FDP in favour of state-run online casino - the Left opposes it

The plans of the cities of Kassel and Wiesbaden are highly controversial, and not just in the political arena. Nevertheless, the planned project in Hesse would not be the first state-run online casino in Germany. We at GambleJoe reported on the interim results of the state-run online casino "die-spielbank.de" at the end of February this year.

City treasurer Matthias Nölke has no reservations about the city's plan to offer online casino games itself. In an interview with HNA, the FDP politician specifically defended the plans for a "platform for limited, organised and monitored online casino gaming while guaranteeing the protection of young people and players". The primary goal is to further curb illegal gambling and make it less attractive. We reported over a year ago that the FDP was in favour of faster licensing procedures.

The Left Party labelled the project a "crazy idea" and therefore categorically rejected it. They argue that the potential for addiction is far too high and therefore no additional state offer should be created.

Hesse spoke out in favour of online casino games at an early stage

While other federal states such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania already rejected online casino games in January last year, Hesse spoke out in favour of an offer in this area at an early stage.

We reported back in December 2022 that Hesse intends to allow online casino games such as roulette and blackjack. However, the prerequisite for this is that at least two casinos in the state join forces.

Conclusion

If the cities of Kassel and Wiesbaden and the two casinos decide to cooperate, a joint venture will be established. Unfortunately, no details are known at this time, so it will probably be some time before an online casino for online casino games is opened in Hesse.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/de/illustrations/prozess-geschäft-planung-projekt-4095965/