Polish police seize illegal slot machines plus cash hidden in kids’ toys
A series of raids was carried out on alleged illegal gambling venues in Warsaw, Piaseczno and Grodzisk.
Poland.- Police have reportedly broken up an illegal cross-border gambling operation after discovering unlicensed slot machines in a series of raids in Warsaw, Piaseczno and Grodzisk. Six people are said to have been detained.
Officers reportedly searched eight apartments along with 13 business premises that were believed to have been hosting unlawful gambling. They confiscated 57 slot machines and more than 350,000 złoty (around €82,000) in various currencies, much of which had been stashed inside stuffed toys.
According to a statement released by the Finance Ministry today (Friday), investigators also uncovered 25 grams of marijuana at one of the locations.
Those arrested include the alleged leader of the operation, who was described as a 44‑year‑old Polish national. He is said to have prior convictions for assault. The five other people detained were described as three Polish men and two Ukrainian citizens, one male and one female. All six were brought before the District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw, where they were charged with involvement in an organised criminal group and the operation of illegal gambling.
Two of the suspects have been placed in pre‑trial detention, while the remaining four are under police supervision. Additionally, eleven employees allegedly connected to the gambling venues face charges for participating in unlawful gaming operations. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that further arrests may follow.
