Bologna. Two Chinese reported for computer fraud: they had emptied the slot with a smartphone
(Jamma) A heavy crackdown by the Hellenic police against clandestine gaming in the capital but also in other parts of the country has led to the seizure of over 4.000 slot machines and video lottery terminals (VLT), the closure of more than 300 illegal gambling and nearly 2.000 arrests.
The illegal turnover was almost equal to that generated by the two official casinos of Parnitha, on the outskirts of Athens, and of Loutraki, a seaside resort on the Gulf of Corinth. According to sector experts, the proceeds illegally obtained from clandestine gambling halls amounted to around 150 million euros a year, while the losses for the treasury are approximately double considering that crime does not pay income taxes , the salaries of the employees and their social security contributions, nor the VAT or the taxes due to the Greek National Tourist Board, which are instead paid by the legal casinos.
According to data provided by the police, in the first six months of this year, the forces of order seized 81 roulette wheels and 1.280 VLT terminals in clandestine gambling houses in the Attica region alone. As a comparison, the legal casinos of Parnitha and Loutraki together have 70 roulette tables and 1.500 VLT terminals. Again between January and May, 363 clandestine gambling houses were closed, 4.014 VLT terminals seized and 1.889 people arrested.
A similar anti-gambling operation conducted last year led to the closure of more than 1.000 illegal casinos, the seizure of almost 11.000 slot machines and video VLTs and the arrest of around 5.000 casino owners and customers .
