Cyprus sends warning to illegal gambling community

Thousands of euros worth of illegal gambling equipment was destroyed in Cyprus this week.

Cyprus.- The British bases (SBA) police in Akrotiri revealed that illegal gambling equipment was destroyed on Wednesday. The machines were worth thousands of euros and were seized in multiple operations throughout last year.

Cyprus has conducted several operations against illegal gambling last year, and the raids happened mostly in the villages of Trachoni and Ypsonas. The Cyprus Mail reported that the police’s anti-gambling task force mainly collected roulette and blackjack tables, computers and elects related to gambling.

Akrotiri divisional commander, C/Supt Nigel Avron, said that Wednesday’s actions are part of a warning to the illegal gambling community. He warned those who are taking part in illegal activities and said that it will not be tolerated.

“We have a large hangar filled with equipment that we have seized over the past year and in terms of its value, we are talking tens of thousands of euros. One fully equipped roulette table costs about €12,000 and we have multiple tables that have been seized. Also, when you take into account the cost in illegal revenue to the operators when we close a casino, the effect is devastating to them,” said Akrotiri.