Police Crackdown on Gambling in Salzburg
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria has seen a surge in illegal gambling activities. The latest police raid, which took place in Salzburg, resulted in the seizure of several slot machines and thousands of euros in cash. The government has been battling against the gambling mafia since 2018, but it appears they may be fighting a losing battle.
Salzburg has now become one of Austria's hotspots for illegal gambling. These large-scale raids are not uncommon in Austria, especially in cities like Salzburg, Vienna, and Wels. In 2018, the government declared war on the gambling scene, but it seems like they're fighting windmills. The lockdown of gaming arcades during the pandemic has only worsened the situation.
A team of investigators recently responded to an anonymous tip-off about an illegal gambling den in Salzburg. When they arrived on the scene, they found 11 functioning slot machines and cash scattered around the place. The premises were heavily secured, with no one in sight. However, they soon discovered a man and a woman hiding in the attic. The woman was believed to be a gambler, while the man, who had large sums of money on him, turned out to be her brother, a known criminal for illegal gambling.
The incident is not unusual for Salzburg. In September, Operation Jackpot resulted in the seizure of 177 gaming machines and significant amounts of cash and valuables. Nearly 320 officers were involved in the operation, which also dismantled an illegal poker room in Vienna. The gaming machines were all rigged to maximize profits.
The recent raid saw the authorities confiscate 11 unregistered gaming machines and a total of 6,000 euros in cash. The man was fined 22,000 euros for not cooperating. The authorities have closed the establishment.
Similar cases have been popping up all over Germany during the initial lockdown. In Solingen, police rounded up 16 individuals involved in gambling. A casino in Dresden stayed open against lockdown regulations, causing a stir. There were also reports of illegal poker games in Berlin. The police warned of fines for operating restaurants illegally and maintaining irregular events.
In the absence of COVID-19, illegal gambling is a significant problem in Austria. The police appear to be fighting an uphill battle, with confiscated machines sometimes replaced overnight. In some cases, the illegal gaming machines are even walled in or affixed to the floor with locking bars. Other measures used to deter investigators include electrified doors or slot machines rigged with irritant gas.
According to the police, the black market for gaming machines generates vast profits. A good location can yield a turnover of about 10,000 euros per month at a cost of only 3,500 euros. The measures used to make the machines inaccessible to investigators are becoming more sophisticated. Last year, the Austrian police managed to capture the leader of the so-called Vienna Group, who is said to control a significant portion of the illegal gambling scene in the country.
Click here--fuhren-gegen-ein-verdachtigen-fehler) to know more about the latest raid.
11 Slot Machines and €6,000 In Cash Seized in Illegal Gaming Den
Police Raids in Austria Involve Slot Machines, Cash Seizures
11 Slot Machines and €6,000 In Cash Seized in Illegal Gaming Den (Salzburg, Austria)
€433,000 in Cash Seized in Slot Machine Raid
Arrests Made in Connection With Seized Slot Machines
11 Illegal Gaming Machines Seized in Salzburg
11 Slot Machines and €6,000 In Cash Seized in Illegal Gaming Den in Salzburg, Austria
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
