The antismoking ban, which has been progressively applied since last January in Germany, is threatening the business of several casinos and favoring illegal gaming rooms and online bets. Matthias Hein, the spokesperson for the Federation of German Casinos (DeSIA in German), said that in the next three years between three and five large casinos will close in the country.

“Four out of five casino habitués smoke. Smoking and betting are inseparable,” Hein commented and he added that, in view of the smoking prohibition, the industry is experiencing a surge of illegal gaming venues and a fierce competition in the Internet. It has been estimated that during the first quarter of the year, the number of casino visitors decreased 17.7 per cent reaching 1.75 million.

From Hein’s point of view, the antismoking regulations, which will fully come into force on 1st July, made things worse for a sector that ‘went from being in trouble to facing its extinction’. Hein showed a report about the profits of roulette and blackjack tables that went from 981 million Euros in 2002 to 923 million in 2007.

Hein also highlighted the fact that the casino and gambling venues crisis due to the antismoking legislation will also affect the state economy, since financial authorities will not receive this year about 160 million in taxes.