Austria’s financial police with help from the Federal Criminal Police Office in Vienna shut down two additional illegal gambling venues

Austria’s financial police in collaboration with the Federal Criminal Police Office in Vienna  raided two more gambling venues on February 2021 at the Vienna districts of Donaustadt and Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus. The move echoes the rise of illegal gambling activities in the capital. 

Austrian police seized drugs, cash, and seven gaming machines in Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus. They ten players that were using the gambling machines attempted to flee the scene once the officers arrived. In Donaustadt, authorities found a hidden ground floor bar in a restaurant, inside were thirty-four players gathered round three poker tables, each reaching €21,000 in cash, and two gaming machines. Rounds included values up to the thousands. 

Game organisers were held at the locations in question and players and staff were interviewed.

The news comes after Austria’s Finance Minister, Gernot Blumel, recently announces new nationwide gambling regulatory framework overhaul.

He commented on the situation in a statement saying:

In Vienna, new criminal structures in ??illegal gambling have recently arisen,

The consistent work of the financial police brings these mafia-like gangs from the southeast under massive pressure. The high addiction factor of gambling leads to the fact that addicted gamblers often try to compensate for their financial losses through crime.

The combination of illegal gambling and drug use, which is increasingly occurring in Vienna, is particularly fatal. We will continue to take tough and consistent action against these criminals and continue our excellent cooperation with the police. The fight against illegal gambling will continue to be pushed.”

Source: iGaming Business

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