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.
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.
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,
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.
€16,000 · Paid by: Business contents
The arcade stays closed for three days for the police forensics team and because of the broken machines.
€7,500 · Paid by: Business interruption
A guest slips on spilt coffee and breaks a hip.
€12,000 · Paid by: Business liability
A power surge after a thunderstorm: the till system and CCTV equipment are broken.
€5,800 · Paid by: Electronic equipment
A player smashes two displays in anger and disappears.
€3,400 · Paid by: Business contents
The betting terminal reports an attack, customer data has been stolen and a forensic IT specialist has to come in.
€9,000 · Paid by: Cyber insurance
Which package would you have had?
Paid by insurance: €0
Out of your own pocket: €53,700
Illustrative amounts before any excess.
What 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 case files
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.
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers
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
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