Sicily court upholds seven-day closure of Catania betting shop
Regulation1 min read
The Sicily Regional Administrative Court upheld a seven-day suspension of a betting shop in Catania ordered by the police headquarters. The court said repeated checks finding people with criminal records supported preventive action under Article 100 of the public security law; it dismissed the operator’s appeal and damages claim.
Sicily's regional administrative court dismissed a Catania betting shop operator's appeal against a seven-day suspension ordered by police. Police had ordered the suspension under Article 100 of the public security law after checks identified people with records at the premises.
Police documented three checks at the shop. The first identified three people with criminal records, while the second identified six people flagged in police databases. During the third check, police found three other people with records who had spent a significant period at the shop. The court said the repeated checks were enough to establish that their presence was not occasional. It said the same people did not need to be identified at every check to justify a suspension.
The court said the suspension was a preventive measure rather than a sanction, intended to prevent danger to the public. It said the order was not linked to the owner's responsibility but was intended to protect customers and the public. The ruling said Article 100 permits police to act where a danger is potential.
The court rejected the operator's objection that it had not been notified before proceedings began. The judges said the urgency of precautionary measures justified omitting prior notice. The court also dismissed the operator's claim for damages for revenue lost during the closure.