Authorities seized 69 illegal gambling machines during four raids in Salzburg, Austria, within one week, according to the finance ministry. Officials imposed penalties totalling around €500,000 on venue operators and owners for breaches of several laws; three venues were closed.
The seizures and penalties affect operators of unlicensed gambling venues in Salzburg.
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Austria’s financial police seized two gambling machines during a 12 February inspection at a petrol station in Wels, according to the report. The machines were operating, and investigators found that gambling had been offered there for about six weeks. The 64-year-old operator was reported, faces fines of up to €20,000, and may lose his trade licence.
Austria’s financial police and Cobra police unit seized 76 illegal gambling machines in Salzburg between 6 and 14 April, according to the report. Authorities searched seven premises, and operators could face penalties of up to €30,000 per machine; the report said one venue had replaced nine seized machines within five days.
Austria’s financial police removed 370 illegally operated machines from circulation in 2022, according to a media report citing ministry spokesman Stefan Trittner. Officers seized 59 machines in Upper Austria, down from 338 there the previous year. The report gives conflicting figures for requested fines: €657,500 and €6.13 million, both attributed to the previous year.
Austria’s financial police destroyed 99 illegal gambling machines in Salzburg after several proceedings concluded, according to a report dated 7 March 2022. Finance Minister Magnus Brunner said the agency continued to target illegal gambling and protect players; the report also described security measures used at gambling venues to hinder inspections.
Austria’s financial police said 107 illegal gambling machines seized during eight checks in Salzburg between May 2020 and May 2021 were destroyed in August 2021. Authorities recovered €4,343 in play money; nationwide, the unit reported 581 machines seized and 142 criminal complaints filed between January and July 2021.