Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Nets Millions in Fines Across Italy
Rome – A nationwide operation conducted between May 20 and 31, 2025, has resulted in significant penalties for illegal gambling activities across Italy. The initiative, spearheaded by the Committee for the Prevention and Repression of Illegal Gambling, Gaming Security, and the Protection of Minors (CoPReGI), involved a coordinated effort by the Customs and Monopoly Agency, the State Police, the Carabinieri, and the Financial Police.
The extensive operation targeted 618 businesses operating within the public gaming system. These included betting shops, recharge points, commercial establishments, and private clubs housing Amusement With Prices (AWP) machines.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups
CoPReGI, led by the Director of the Customs and Monopoly Agency, Roberto Alesse, and comprising representatives from the Police Forces, focuses on safeguarding vulnerable populations, particularly minors. The committee aims to ensure a legal and secure gaming environment, with a strong emphasis on preventing and suppressing illegal activities within the sector.
Seizures and Penalties
The collaborative effort between the Customs and Monopoly Agency and the Police Forces, leveraging experienced personnel and advanced technologies, led to the discovery of 22 unauthorized betting locations. Authorities seized 149 AWP machines and irregular gaming devices, along with 35 totems and 20 personal computers used to access illegal gambling websites.
The operation yielded substantial criminal and administrative consequences. Forty-six individuals were reported to judicial authorities, and 231 administrative violations were identified, resulting in total fines of approximately €5,739,000.
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