Police operation at an illegal "mini casino" operating on Syggrou Avenue, in the Neos Kosmos area
The operation was carried out by the Economic Police & Cybercrime Prosecution Service and Services of the Attica Security Directorate
The "mini casino" operated covertly as a health food store offering internet services (Internet cafe)
A total of sixty (60) people, both Greeks and foreigners, workers and players of prohibited games, were arrested in the immediate aftermath of the incident
Among those arrested are the temporary manager, a 48-year-old Greek national, a 21-year-old man who worked as a "chiliador", two female waitresses (23 and 30 years old) and a 26-year-old as a "doorman" - customer receptionist
Among other things, 56 gaming machines of various types, 11 specially designed tables, a large number of chips and decks of cards and the sum of approximately 7,800 euros were seized
To avoid inspections by law enforcement authorities, they had installed (33) surveillance cameras with recording equipment
Within the framework of the audit, tax violations were also found concerning uninsured work and tax mechanisms
An illegal "mini casino" was discovered yesterday (08.04.2014) evening, on Syggrou Avenue, in the Neos Kosmos area of Attica, as part of a coordinated operation, which was implemented with the cooperation of the Economic Police & Cybercrime Prosecution Service, the Athens Security Sub-Directorate and the Crime Prevention and Suppression Team (OPKE) of the Attica Security Directorate.
During the operation, a total of sixty (60) people, both Greeks and foreigners, were arrested by the police, while a large number of illegal gaming machines of various types and related equipment were seized.
Among those arrested are the temporary manager of the store, a 48-year-old Greek national, a 21-year-old Greek national who worked as a "chiliador", two female waitresses (a 30-year-old Greek national and a 23-year-old Albanian national), a 26-year-old Greek national as a "doorman" - customer reception and an additional fifty-five (55) people (39 Greek nationals and 16 foreigners) who participated as players in the prohibited games. The legal representative and owner of the store (a 76-year-old Greek national), was absent during the inspection and is being sought.
In addition, other (42) patrons were found in the "casino" premises, who did not participate in the gambling and were released after checking their judicial identity.
As found by the inspection, the "mini casino" was operating covertly as a health food store offering internet services (Internet cafe).
The case file that was filed includes, as the case may be, violations of the gaming and casino legislation and of the health provisions for amending the terms of operation of a store.
The audit also revealed violations related to tax and labor legislation. Specifically, the employment of an uninsured person was found, the Special Newly Hired Personnel Registration Book (EBKNP) was not presented, and the use of an undeclared and approved tax mechanism was discovered, which was confiscated.
During the search carried out on the premises of the store, which operated on three levels (ground floor, semi-basement and loft), among other things, the following were found and seized:
- 56 gaming machines of various types,
- 11 specially designed tables for Black Jack, Poker & Roulette,
- a multitude of chips and decks of cards and 8 suitcases with chips of various colors and values,
- the amount of 7,795 euros
- numerous documents with handwritten notes,
- banknote authentication machine,
- central computer unit (server),
- portable wireless with intercom system headphones and
- two insured metal safes.
It is noted that a special monitoring and surveillance system had been installed and operated in the store, which consisted of a total of thirty-three (33) cameras and a recording device, through which images of the premises and of people entering and exiting were recorded, in order to avoid - complicate the controls of the law enforcement authorities.
The arrested persons are being taken to the Athens Misdemeanor Prosecutor's Office today. The seized money will be sent to the Deposits and Loans Fund, while the electronic equipment will be handed over to the Customs Procedures Directorate (formerly the Customs and Excise Department) for safekeeping.
The relevant reports prepared will be submitted to the competent Services (IKA, SEPE, DOY) for the imposition of the prescribed administrative sanctions, fines, etc., in accordance with applicable legislation.
It is recalled that, with Law 4002/2011, which regulates the "gambling market" and came into force on 22 August 2011, a prison sentence of at least ten years is provided for anyone who conducts games of chance without a license. When the games are technical, a prison sentence of at least three years and a fine of 100,000 to 200,000 per gaming machine is provided. Finally, anyone who participates in a game of chance, which is organized without a license is punished with a prison sentence of up to three months and a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 euros.
