A major nationwide operation by Poland’s National Revenue Administration (KAS) has targeted illegal gambling across four regions, resulting in 30 arrests and the seizure of 154 illegal gaming machines.
The coordinated action involved 563 officers and staff from 14 Customs and Revenue Offices, who carried out searches at 80 locations across Wielkopolskie, Lubuskie, Śląskie and Dolnośląskie. Officers also received support from the Ministry of Finance’s Tactical and Operational Actions Department.
Around PLN 820,000 ($219,478) in cash was confiscated during the operation, while a further PLN 803,000 was frozen in bank accounts linked to companies involved in the suspected criminal network.
KAS confirmed that 30 individuals were detained on suspicion of organising and operating illegal gambling. Four suspects have been remanded in custody, while the remaining individuals face travel bans and police supervision.
Recently, Polish Customs and Revenue officers also dismantled an organised criminal group running illegal gambling operations in Mazovia, detaining 17 people.
Searches of 13 service premises and eight apartments uncovered 57 illegal gaming machines. Eleven employees of the premises have been charged with running illegal gambling operations.
Meanwhile, the Polish state-owned operator, Totalizator Sportowy, signed a letter of intent last month with Police Commander-in-Chief Marek Boroń to strengthen cooperation on developing strategies to combat illegal gambling nationwide.
In neighbouring Germany, a similar large-scale raid in Berlin led to the seizure of 120 slot machines. Around 400 officers from multiple agencies, including the Police, Public Prosecutor’s Office and Customs and Tax investigators, searched 74 locations across the city. It is estimated that criminals generated around €180,000 ($206,574) in revenue.
Earlier this month, Polish football was hit by an illegal betting scandal involving players placing bets on their own teams matches
