Business contents
Insures machines, fittings and cash against burglary, robbery, vandalism, fire and water, provided cash and machines are expressly included.
Insurance broker / Business types / Sport, culture and leisure
Insurance for amusement arcades, gaming venues and betting shops in Germany
In an arcade there is cash in the machines, the change machines and the safe, often until late at night. That makes burglary, machine break-ins and robbery the main risk. Many insurers are cautious about this sector, which makes it all the more important to have a quote that really includes your cash.
The question almost everyone asks first
Is the money in the gaming machines insured?
Only if the policy expressly says so. Many contents policies limit cash to low amounts and require it to be kept in a locked safe of a certain security grade. Cash in gaming machines and change machines needs its own item with a set limit, and robbery on the way to the bank has to be agreed separately again.
What goes wrong in this trade
- 01
Machine break-ins
The thieves come at night, force open machines and change machines, and do more damage to the equipment than the cash they take.
- 02
Robbery
Late in the evening, one supervisor alone in the shop: robbery is not a fringe risk in this sector, and for the employee it counts as an accident at work.
- 03
Fire and technology
Many machines run around the clock, plus screens, drinks fridges and ventilation. One cable fire shuts down the whole business.
- 04
Vandalism
Frustrated players smash displays or kick machine fronts. Malicious damage is not included in every policy.
- 05
Disputes over supervision
A guest falls, an argument escalates, the supervisor steps in: claims from guests and accusations against staff do happen.
- 06
Closed doors
After a fire or water damage the arcade is shut, but the licence continues and so does the rent. Every day without trading costs turnover.
Compared with other trades, 1 low to 5 high.
The insurance you need
Essential
Business liability
Covers injuries to guests and damage to the rented premises, for example from water or fire.
Strongly advised
Business interruption
Pays rent, wages and lost profit while the arcade stays closed after an insured loss.
Electronic equipment
For your own machines, till and CCTV equipment against operating errors, power surges and short circuits, if they are not rented.
Depends on the business
Cyber insurance
For networked machines, betting terminals and till systems, where an attack stops the business and affects customer data.
Business legal expenses
For disputes with the landlord, the authorities or employees, for example over dismissal or a rent reduction.
What it costs: example prices
Insurers see arcades as a higher burglary and robbery risk. Premiums therefore depend mainly on location, security systems, opening hours and the amount of cash insured. Good security lowers the premium noticeably.
| Insurance | Example | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Business liability | Arcade or betting shop with two to five employees | about 150 to 350 euros a year |
| Business contents | Fittings and machines worth 100,000 euros, cash up to 10,000 euros in the safe | about 1,200 to 3,000 euros a year |
| Business interruption | Business interruption up to twelve months, added to the contents policy | about 300 to 800 euros a year on top |
| Cyber insurance | Small business with networked tills, 250,000 euros cover | about 350 to 700 euros a year |
For comparison: Liability and contents cover together cost about as much a year as one month's rent for a small shop unit in the town centre.
Guide figures excluding insurance tax, as of September 2026, based on published tariff examples for comparable businesses and our own quoting experience. There are hardly any published premiums for arcades themselves; some insurers decline the sector, and we obtain the exact quote for you.
Sources of the price examples
Our suggestions: three packages
01
Betting counter
For: small betting shop without its own machines
- Business liability
- Business contents
Together about 500 to 1,200 euros a year
Request this package02
Arcade
For: arcade with its own cash and supervision until late
- Business liability
- Business contents
- Business interruption
Together about 1,600 to 4,000 euros a year
Request this package03
Multi site
For: operator with several arcades and networked technology
- Business liability
- Business contents
- Business interruption
- Electronic equipment
- Cyber insurance
- Business legal expenses
Together from about 5,000 euros a year, depending on the number of sites
Request this packageThe worst day at the arcade
Six things that really happen at arcades and betting shops, all on a single day. Tap through the day and see who pays.
Damage so far€53,700
-
Burglars lever open the back door and break into four machines and the change machine. The stolen cash plus repairs to the machines.
-
The arcade stays closed for three days for the police forensics team and because of the broken machines.
-
A guest slips on spilt coffee and breaks a hip.
-
A power surge after a thunderstorm: the till system and CCTV equipment are broken.
-
A player smashes two displays in anger and disappears.
-
The betting terminal reports an attack, customer data has been stolen and a forensic IT specialist has to come in.
Which package would you have had?
Illustrative amounts before any excess. Whether and how much is paid depends on the policy terms.
Practical tips from your broker
- Be open about how much cash is kept where: machines, change machines, safe and till each need their own limit.
- Clarify the security requirements before you sign: safe grade, alarm linked to a monitoring centre, CCTV. If they are missing, the insurer often does not pay.
- Have vandalism after a burglary and malicious damage by guests expressly included.
- Insure cash in transit to the bank separately if your staff take the money there themselves.
- Rented machines are often insured by the supplier who placed them: get this in writing, otherwise there is a gap.
- Prepare your staff for robberies. After a robbery the Berufsgenossenschaft also pays for psychological support, so always report it.
Why NAMMERT for your business
We find insurers who will write the risk
Not every insurer takes arcades. As a broker we know where an enquiry has a chance and spare you a string of rejections.
We read the security clauses
After a burglary, the small print on safes and alarms decides everything. We go through it with you before a loss, not afterwards.
Claims experience from our own settlements
In boat insurance we handle claims ourselves, including theft and vandalism. We use that knowledge if your insurer hesitates after a burglary.
No fee, one fixed contact
The insurer pays our commission. You deal with a family business that has had the same phone number since 1989.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Why is it hard to insure an arcade?
Because many insurers avoid the burglary and robbery risk. But there are providers who write the sector with clear security requirements.
Is a robbery of the supervisor covered?
The stolen money is covered by contents insurance if robbery is included. The employee's injury is an accident at work, which is the responsibility of the Berufsgenossenschaft.
Who insures rented gaming machines?
Often the supplier who placed them. Agree in the contract who bears the damage to the machine and the cash inside after a break-in.
Is insurance compulsory for arcades?
No. The gambling authorities check the licence, distance rules and player protection. Liability cover still makes sense, and many landlords require it.
Does insurance pay if the authorities close the arcade?
No. A closure ordered by the authorities because of a missing licence or changed distance rules is not an insured loss.
What does insurance for a betting shop cost?
For a small betting shop without its own machines, usually about 500 to 1,200 euros a year for liability and contents. More cash and longer opening hours increase the premium.
NAMMERT insurance broker
Request quotes for Arcade
The recommended covers are already ticked. Change what does not fit; we obtain quotes and come back with a comparison. You can write in English.
Thank you, we have your request.
We will be in touch within one working day. If it is urgent: +49 3375 29 12 77.
Related trades
Are my cigarettes fully covered if someone breaks in?
Will my insurer pay if guests get into a fight?
Are the legal minimum limits enough for my security liability cover?
Official classification
This page covers the following classes of the German WZ 2025 (identical to NACE at four digits):
- 92.00 Spiel-, Wett- und Lotteriewesen
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), WZ 2025. All business types
Boat or yacht? Here we are not the broker but the underwriting agency, with our own policies and our own claims handling.
Boat insuranceNAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act, broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. For boat and yacht insurance we act as underwriting agency, not as broker. Statutory disclosure (German) · Updated