For operators installing gaming machines

Operator licence and social concept for machine operators

Installing gaming machines commercially takes more than the § 33c GewO licence: player protection must provably work at every installation site. Ardanto delivers the social concept ready-made — including the OASIS app, with which you and your landlords meet the duties under the German Trade Regulation digitally.

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The § 33c GewO operator licence: where the social concept comes in

Commercially installing gaming machines requires the operator licence under § 33c of the German Trade Regulation (GewO). Alongside personal reliability, operators must show that player and youth protection is ensured — in practice: a sound social concept and instructed staff in the pub or gaming hall.

Each individual installation site additionally needs its suitability confirmation. Anyone applying for or extending the licence cannot get around the social concept for the installation site — fastest with a ready-made, digitally implemented one.

More on the legal framework: the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling

Who needs the operator licence — and who doesn't?

Installing gaming machines involves two distinct roles, each with its own duties.

The machine operator

Anyone who commercially installs and operates gaming machines needs the § 33c GewO operator licence — regardless of how many other people's venues the machines are placed in. The licence is tied to the operator and valid throughout Germany.

The venue hosting the machines

The pub or gaming hall where an operator's machines stand does not need an operator licence. It must, however, hold its own suitability confirmation from the local authority. The suitability confirmation is tied to the pub or gaming hall.

Requirements for the operator licence

The competent authority assesses the licence against several requirements, which usually need to be demonstrated together.

Personal reliability

Applicants must demonstrate their personal and trade-related reliability, typically via a certificate of good conduct and an extract from the central trade register (Gewerbezentralregister).

Proof of expertise

Proof of expertise is usually required, for example through instruction or an exam, often via the responsible chamber of commerce (IHK).

Social concept and player protection

Player protection must be provably implemented — with a sound social concept, trained staff and ongoing documentation, not just on paper.

The exact process varies by federal state: the application is filed with the authority responsible for the business location, which reviews the documentation and may request further evidence.

Why do machine operators need a social concept?

The 2021 State Treaty on Gambling obliges everyone who organises or facilitates gambling — including machine operators. § 6 GlüStV requires a social concept with trained staff, ongoing documentation and provable implementation. Operators face a particular challenge: their machines sit in other people's businesses. Without a system that works at every installation site, the duty stays theoretical — and the risk stays with you.

Buying the social concept: what you get

Tailored social concept

A social concept tailored to your installation business and your venues, following the requirements of the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling and the respective federal state. Ready for the authority and the licensing procedure.

OASIS app for every installation site

Exclusion checks, age verification and documentation run digitally — including at partner venues, no extra hardware.

Training management

Reminders and certificates for your staff and for the venues hosting your machines.

One-click social report

Analysable per installation site, as PDF or CSV — ready to send via the authority-export assistant.

Your machines, other people's venues: keeping it all provable

The admin cockpit shows the status of every installation site at a glance — which pub documents, where training is due, which exclusion checks have been made. Your landlords document on the side, on a phone; you keep the proof that the authority and the licence require — retrievable at any time and ready to hand over to the authorities.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need my own social concept if the pub already has one?

The social concept must show the current details of the operator and the venue. The specifics follow from the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling. The easiest path is one shared digital system in which the social concept is kept electronically and always up to date — together with the OASIS app.

What does the social concept for machine operators cost?

Prices apply per venue or installation site and depend on scope — from a single site to an operator with many partner venues. Request a no-obligation quote via the contact form.

Does the social concept help with the § 33c GewO licence?

Yes. For the application you as the operator must demonstrate player and youth protection — a provably implemented social concept is the central instrument for that. With the electronic social concept the proof is export-ready at any time.

Do I need a § 33c licence if my machines only stand in someone else's pub?

Yes. The operator licence is tied to the operator, not to the site. Anyone who commercially operates gaming machines needs the licence regardless of whether the machines stand in their own business or in someone else's.

What's the difference between the operator licence and the suitability confirmation?

The § 33c GewO operator licence applies to the operator as a business and is independent of the site. The suitability confirmation (Geeignetheitsbestätigung), by contrast, applies to the venue and is additionally required for every site.

A social concept for your installation business?

Request a no-obligation quote — social concept, OASIS app and documentation for all installation sites, from a single source.