Cosenza prosecutors investigate alleged gaming-machine offences involving 15 people

Fifteen people were placed under precautionary measures on 26 October in an investigation by the Cosenza public prosecutor's office into alleged illegal activity in the management of telematic gaming machines with cash prizes, the prosecutor's office said. The alleged offences include conspiracy, corruption, disclosure of official secrets and aggravated fraud against the state. The case remains at the preliminary investigation stage.

The operation was carried out by the Carabinieri of the Cosenza provincial command together with personnel of the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), executing an order issued by the preliminary investigations judge of the Cosenza court at the prosecutor's request. The investigation, conducted with the involvement of officials of ADM's central games directorate in Rome, focused on the management of amusement machines with cash prizes and on alleged unlawful conduct in the sector.

According to the prosecutor's office, serious indications were found against the 15 suspects, in various capacities, concerning an alleged conspiracy aimed at committing offences against the public administration, property and the administration of justice. The charges also include corruption for acts contrary to official duties, disclosure and use of official secrets, aggravated fraud against the state and aiding and abetting. The investigation therefore also concerns the system of controls and administrative activities connected with the management of gaming machines.

The details of the individual alleged conduct and the roles attributed to the suspects have not been made public, and the type of precautionary measures applied has not been specified. A press conference was scheduled for 10.30 that day at the Cosenza public prosecutor's office, with the public prosecutor and the investigators who conducted the checks. The prosecution's hypotheses must be subject to subsequent judicial verification, with the right of defence and the presumption of innocence respected.