Salzburg police entered a suspected illegal gambling venue in the city on Wednesday evening and found 11 machines, which financial police seized, the regional police directorate said. Eight people were inside, and police said they hoped to identify the operator through the property owner.
The seizure removes 11 machines from an illegal venue as police pursue the operator.
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Austria’s Financial Police and police attended a private flat in Vienna’s 15th district in early October after a poker player alleged he had been cheated at a game there. Financial Police provisionally seized the poker table, cards and chips and said they would begin confiscation proceedings and seek administrative penalty proceedings against the organiser, who faces a possible fine of up to €30,000.
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 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 raided a suspected illegal poker venue in Vienna-Favoriten during lockdown, reportedly finding 20 players at two tables. Police seized €6,200 in cash and the financial police confiscated the tables; investigations were ongoing, and the event organiser had not been identified.
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.