Unlawful gaming: Mob clan faces extended jail sentences.
In Italy, the family behind several illegal online gambling platforms has been handed down hefty prison sentences. A court in Emilia-Romagna found 56-year-old Nicola Femia to be the mastermind and sentenced him to 26 years and ten months behind bars. His son, Nicola Rocco (26), and daughter, Guendalina (32), were given sentences of 15 and 10 years respectively. The investigation into the Femia family began three years ago and uncovered ties to the Italian mafia.
The examination by the public prosecutor's office was sparked by journalist Giovanni Tizian's research from Gazzetta di Modena newspaper. Tizian discovered the connection between the Femia family and various online gambling websites. The family had these services operated through frontmen in other European nations.
Italian police tracked Nicola Femia's regular meetings with his London partner and confirmed suspicions. The family also operated up to 50 illegal gambling halls in Italy, hosting around 1,500 manipulated gaming machines that paid out less than legally required. They did not have a valid gambling license for any of their activities in Italy; instead, the companies operated from the UK and Romania.
During the trial, ties between the family and the Calabrian mafia organization 'Ndrangheta surfaced. This is one of the three major organized crime groups in Italy, alongside the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and the Naples-based Camorra. The organization is known for its global presence, primarily in drug trafficking and waste disposal, and is said to generate revenues similar to those of large corporations. While trials against the mafia are still rare in Italy, as they yield political influence and often employ violence against witnesses, nearly 30 people were arrested in relation to the Femia case—all suspected of being part of the illegal gambling ring.
Throughout the proceedings, threats against journalist Giovanni Tizian emerged. In intercepted phone calls, one caller offered to silence Tizian—paving the way for a "silent mouth." Following this development, Tizian sought 50,000 euros in damages from Nicola Femia due to intimidation efforts.
The heavy sentences for the Femia family extend beyond the operation of the gambling services. The court deems them guilty of membership and conspiracy within a criminal organization.
The Femias offered numerous casino sites and poker rooms for Italian players online. Through their local branches, they prompted clients to visit these offers. The illegal websites included 888Suite.com, Vivacasinoelite.com, Vanillascasino.com, and Davidcasino.com—websites not licensed by any recognized authority. These platforms are estimated to have swindled numerous customers out of their money, although no details have been disclosed. The entirety of the illegal network, including the local stores, was valued at approximately 60 million euros in court.
The websites were run from London by Massimiliano Rizzo, a business partner of Nicola Femia. Rizzo also received a prison sentence but only for three years since he was solely accused of operating fraudulent online gambling platforms. He was not found responsible for the illegality of the offers in Italy, nor was a closer affiliation with the mafia proven.
The Femia case unequivocally demonstrates the necessity of state regulation and monitoring for gambling offers. The circumvention of a licensing process predominantly hurts customers and damages the industry's reputation. Strict regulation is necessary to prevent fraudulent behavior. It would be significant if the recent Italian court rulings served as a cautionary tale for unlicensed operators, as the court in Emilia-Romagna has already made legal history by confirming the existence of the 'Ndrangheta in the region.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
