Police and financial police seized 69 illegal slot machines in four raids in Salzburg, Austria, over one week, the report said. Authorities closed three venues and imposed penalties of around €500,000 on operators for breaches including gambling and Covid-19 rules.
The enforcement action resulted in venue closures and substantial penalties for operators of illegal gambling businesses.
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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 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 seized eight gambling machines in Vienna on 3 and 4 January, reportedly finding three in a café in Meidling and five in a private flat in Ottakring. Finance Minister Magnus Brunner said the inspections would continue as part of efforts against illegal gambling.
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.
Austria’s financial police said officers seized two operating illegal gambling machines during a police operation at a Vienna flat in the sixth district in mid-August. Officers also took €2,300 in gambling proceeds into official custody, and police arrested two people; the operation followed a tip about the flat.