Police raid unlicensed gambling operations in southern Italy
One operation has reportedly been linked to a Maltese licence holder.
Italy.- A sweep on illegal gambling in southern Italy has exposed an operation with possible links to Malta. The Financial Police and the Customs and Monopolies Agency carried out a series of raids in the coastal city of Reggio Calabria.
According to Press Giochi, the most serious case was in Bovalino, where investigators claim to have found an illegal betting operation. The business was reportedly connected to a Maltese licence holder but had no authorisation to operate in Italy. Officials also noted the absence of public safety permits, failure to display games, and the use of a company name that had already been dissolved.
Elsewhere, in Condofuri, police raided a private club and seized unauthorised electronic gambling machines capable of dispensing cash payouts. Those responsible now face fines of up to €50,000 and risk closure of the premises.
The suspects have been referred to prosecutors in Reggio Calabria and Locri, who will determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
The enforcement action comes in a year in which lawmakers hope to finally make advances with long-delayed regulatory reforms for land-based gambling in Italy. A draft decree aims to replace the patchwork approach to regulation with coherent national framework, covering gaming machines, video lottery terminals (VLTs), betting shops and bingo halls.
The aim is also to introduce consistent consumer protection standards. However, local authorities have concerns over taxation and compensation for any local budget loss. The government now hopes to launch new concession tenders for slot machine
