A man, owner of a betting shop, has been reported at liberty. The intervention of the Carabinieri of Gioia Tauro made it possible to identify a fully operational agency, but which was found to be completely abusive. Inside the premises the soldiers surprised two young bettors, one of whom was a minor, intent on using gaming stations that were regularly connected and functioning.
A situation of total illegality
The subsequent investigations, conducted in collaboration with the Customs and Monopolies Agency of Reggio Calabria, revealed a situation of total administrative and criminal illegality. The activity was in fact carried out in the absence of a public safety license and any qualification issued by the Monopolies Agency or the Municipality.
Officially it was an internet point
Although the interested party had presented a simple request for the opening of an “internet point”, the premises had been equipped as a real betting room, with 13 computer stations complete with thermal printers for managing the bets.
Place under seizure
The police seized the entire premises, covering approximately 100 square metres, and all the electronic equipment present, while the owner will have to answer before the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Palmi for the illegal exercise of gaming and betting activities and for the violation of the rules which prohibit the participation of minors in games with cash winnings.