Austrian police seize 121 gaming machines in massive operation

Police in Austria have carried out further raids on unlicensed gambling premises, seizing 121 gaming machines from 39 locations.

Austria.- Police in Austria have executed another major coordinated strike against unlicensed gaming in the country, carrying out simultaneous raids on 39 locations in Linz, Linz-Land, Steyr and Wels in central and eastern Austria.

Some venues tried to escape the raids by hanging “closed” and “danger” signs on their doors. Locksmiths were needed to enter eleven premises, and some machines had to be cut away due to being anchored to walls.

It was the largest operation yet in a series of strikes on illegal gaming venues. In June, police carried out simultaneous raids on 17 clandestine gambling establishments. The operations come after Austria reported a rise in illegal gambling in urban centres.

Austria’s finance minister Gernot Blümel said: “The regular operations of the financial police against illegal gambling make it increasingly unattractive for the operators to pursue their dirty business on the back of gambling addicts. This is a severe blow to organised crime in Upper Austria and the financial police will continue to crack down in the future.”

Wilfried Lehner, head of the financial police in the anti-fraud office, said: “Neighbours and relatives of gambling addicts can breathe a sigh of relief, the Wels and Linz area has now been freed from illegal gambling dens. We will repeat these operations immediately if the bars reopen.”

Earlier this year, a major overhaul of gambling regulations in Austria was announced, with the treasury to pass responsibility for licensing and enforcement to a new dedicated regulatory authority.