Police break up gambling ring

Photo: policja.pl

Officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBS), which deals specifically with organised crime, carried out over 800 searches in connection with the operation.

“This is the biggest nationwide action to date concerning illegal gambling,” Inspector Mariusz Sokolowski told the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

“It has shocked that community, and hopefully it will hamper its development,” he added.

Among those detained is the alleged leader of the gambling ring, Adam G. (full name withheld under Polish privacy laws), who has been charged with money-laundering, together with one other suspect.

According to police, Adam G. had attempted to pass off his operations as an official business, but avoided paying the high tax level that is necessary for companies operating gambling firms.

It is estimated that the gambling ring was netting annual profits of up to 150 million (36 million euro) through Internet Gaming Machines.

“A large part of this amount was certainly recognized in the course of invoices filed by associated companies at tax offices, which in turn legalized criminal profit,” Sokolowski said. (nh)