Saarbrücken – For many smokers, gambling on slot machines and smoking at the same time go hand in hand. This will be permitted again in Saarland in the future. The state parliament decided to make changes regarding arcade laws.
In December 2023, this applies to all arcades Saarland a smoking ban was introduced. Some operators have sued over this and faced this Casino and casinos suffer. Smoking is still permitted there under certain conditions.
Judges at the High Administrative Court in Saarlouis overturned the ban on smoking in arcades
Smoking in vending machines remains prohibited
The High Administrative Court in Saarlouis agreed with the plaintiffs and overturned a ban on smoking in arcade slot machines introduced in 2023 because unequal treatment violated the constitution. In future, smoking will be allowed again in separate rooms. Conditions: There may be no play equipment in a separate room and no food or drink may be consumed there.
With the law now passed, the ban on smoking in arcades has now been lifted. According to MP Stefan Löw (SPD), this is not a reversal in terms of content. “We only adapt the law when necessary. Protecting the public is the priority,” he explained.
