Polish Tax and Customs officers have dismantled an organised criminal group running illegal gambling operations in Mazovia, detaining 17 people.
The National Revenue Administration (KAS), supported by the Ministry of Finance’s Tactical-Operational Department, arrested the 44-year-old leader of the group, who has a previous criminal record mainly for assaults.
During the raids, officers seized over PLN 350,000 ($95,598) in cash in various currencies, some of which had been hidden in plush toys.
Searches of 13 service premises and eight apartments also uncovered 57 illegal gaming machines. Eleven employees of the premises have been charged with running illegal gambling operations.
The Polish government is intensifying efforts to combat illegal gambling nationwide, combining law enforcement actions with collaborative initiatives to enhance oversight.
The Polish state-owned operator, Totalizator Sportowy, recently signed a Letter of Intent with Police Commander-in-Chief Marek Boroń to improve collaboration in developing strategies to tackle illegal gambling across the country.
Meanwhile, illegal gambling is not the only challenge facing the country’s gambling sector.
In early March, the Polish Football Association (PZPN) opened disciplinary proceedings against five central league footballers following allegations of involvement in prohibited betting practices, including wagers on matches involving their own teams.
According to the association, the players are suspected of placing a combined total of 5,422 bets, raising concerns about potential breaches of integrity rules within Polish football.
One unnamed player has received a five-year ban on all football-related activities. It remains to be seen what will happen to the other players.
Polish Minister Michał Gramatyka proposed a law restricting loot boxes in games to adults
