Berlin Poker Thieves Could Be Tried as Juveniles

Three 20-year-olds could be tried as juveniles in a German court following the brazen raid of an international poker tournament this past March.  A 21-year-old is likely to be tried as an adult.  That individual is facing up to 15 years behind bars.  The other three men could have reduced sentences depending on whether they are tried as juveniles or adults.

All four have confessed to robbing the Berlin Poker Tour event, sponsored by the world's largest online poker site PokerStars.com, during its final day.

The four stormed into the tournament at a downtown Berlin hotel on March 6 and made off with euro242,000 ($332,000) in jackpot money.

The defendants gave no details Monday about the whereabouts of the money. All but euro4,000 is still missing.

In the case of 18-20 year-old young adults sentenced in Germany according to the JJA (see 4. below) the maximum penalty is typically ten years.

Ace King, Gambling911.com