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Requirements for the fulfilment of the channelling mandate of the State Treaty: the example of lotteries and commercial gaming machines

The development of the regulatory framework and the offer of the gambling segments DLTB lotteries and commercial gaming machines has been very different over the last 30 years, although both sectors have the mandate to channel gambling into legal channels by offering attractive games. In this study, commissioned by VDAI, DIW Econ examines the relationship between the design and adaptation of products over time, particularly in the area of stakes and winnings, and successful channelling in both sectors.

Cost of (no) basic child allowance: long-term costs of child poverty

One in five German households with children lives below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold. Germany’s current coalition agreement aims to strengthen families and lift children out of poverty. Against this background, the basic child allowance is currently under discussion. In the public debate, however, the long-term societal costs of child poverty are hardly ever compared with the costs of measures against child poverty. Yet, the costs are significant and occur in the areas such as health, education and social participation. Scenario analyses confirm that policy measures can be effective in reducing child poverty. Investing in children can therefore lead to substantial fiscal savings in the long run.

The vending industry between regulation and economic trends since 1993 – update 2023

The vending industry is currently facing a variety of challenges. Rising operating costs, the decline in floor space in the hospitality industry, growing energy costs and inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic as well as increasing digital competition are putting providers of slot machines under increasing pressure. At the same time, there is only limited legal room for manoeuvre for the vending machine industry to counteract the changed economic conditions by adjusting prices, the quantity offered and via changes to product characteristics.

The vending industry between regulation and economic trends since 1993

The vending industry is currently facing a variety of challenges. Rising operating costs, the decline in floor space in the hospitality industry, the COVID-19 pandemic, and increasing digital competition are putting providers of slot machines under increasing pressure. At the same time, there is only limited legal room for manoeuvre for the vending machine industry to counteract the changed economic conditions by adjusting prices, the quantity offered and via changes to product characteristics.

On behalf of the Verband der Deutschen Automatenindustrie e.V. (Association of the German Amusement Machine Industry), DIW Econ examines the key economic figures of the amusement machine industry against the background of the applicable regulations and the development of economic trends over the past 30 years.

Education as an Enabler for Private Capital Accumulation

DIW Econ Economic Bulletin, No. 1/2022:

The pension system in Germany is based on the so-called three-pillar model, consisting of the statutory pension, work-based provision and private provision.

While the statutory pension is under intense pressure from demographic change, with the baby boomer generation reaching retirement age in the mid-2020s, only around 54% of employees subject to compulsory insurance in Germany benefit from the employment-based old-age provision. The private provision in the form of Riester contracts has also been taken out by only around a quarter of the working population.