The Greek Police conducted operations in the regions of Attica, Thessaloniki, Patras and Agrinio, leading to the dismantling of a large illegal gambling ring. Authorities estimate it has generated over €16m ($18.4m) in profits since at least 2018.
The operation resulted in 36 member arrests and two additional player detentions, bringing the total to 38. Over 100 further individuals are under investigation for their roles in facilitating illegal gambling activities.
Investigators uncovered illegal live casino games and uncertified VLT machines installed across multiple venues in various regions. Evidence suggests that members of the network interfered with game outcomes, manipulating results and creating misleading bonuses.
Sophisticated technical measures helped the organisation evade detection. The network utilised remote access tools such as VNC (Virtual Network Computing) to connect to machines at different venues. This allowed them to modify IP addresses or system data, making illegal activities harder to detect, even during equipment seizures.
Revenues from these operations were reportedly laundered through legal businesses, banking transactions, investments and potentially cryptocurrency.
The Organised Crime Division of ELAS, often dubbed the “Greek FBI,” led the crackdown.
Police seized large amounts of equipment and materials linked to the syndicate, including €271,000 in cash, hundreds of devices and counterfeit bills.
Despite the crackdown, illegal gambling remains a major challenge in Greece. Hundreds of thousands of players reportedly participate in unlicensed platforms or venues, with the shadow market estimated to reach €1.6bn in annual transactions.
Authorities stress that illegal operations are often linked to money laundering, highlighting the need for ongoing enforcement and regulatory oversight.
Greece has recently proposed regulations to strengthen efforts to combat the illegal market
