Italian police seized an unauthorised gaming venue in Ostuni on 22 January and reported its manager to judicial authorities. The premises, located in a basement without emergency exits, were also subject to administrative seizure after a joint operation involving the financial police, local police and Ostuni’s health authority.
The seizure and reported safety breaches may affect enforcement risks for gaming venues in the area.
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Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency and Guardia di Finanza seized an association’s premises in Bagheria on 28 June during a Texas Hold’em tournament involving 38 players. Investigators said the organisers did not present the required event permits; the collected records will be sent to the Termini Imerese prosecutor’s office, which is continuing its inquiries. The association president’s defence disputes that the event constituted gambling, saying its prize was entry to a later competition in Malta.
Police and Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency inspected an unlicensed gaming venue in Crotone and seized the premises and equipment, according to the police account. The owner and manager were reported to prosecutors; authorities also imposed administrative penalties of about €85,000 for non-compliant machines, missing authorisation and distance-rule breaches.
Police in Siracusa found an unauthorised betting operation during an inspection of a venue presented as a recreational centre, according to the report. Officers also found alcohol being served to minors, 13 doses of hashish and three of cocaine; the owner was reported for suspected possession of drugs for dealing, and administrative checks continue.
Police in Siracusa inspected a venue presented as a recreational centre and found it was operating as a betting hall without any authorisation, according to a report on the case. The inspection was carried out by officers of the Squadra Amministrativa e Sociale and the Squadra Mobile. Further administrative checks are under way.
Chieri municipal police fined a betting venue’s owner about €5,000 after finding unauthorised billiards and gaming areas, as well as unlicensed food and drink service. The owner was ordered to stop the unauthorised activities immediately, the report said.
Bergamo police found a betting venue operating without police authorisation in Clusone during checks in the Val Seriana area. Officers summoned the venue’s owner and said she would be referred to judicial authorities; a business in Cene was fined about €300 for failing to display required information.