The Police, as part of a series of administrative checks at betting agencies and public establishments where video game machines that allow cash winnings are present, checked fifteen betting agencies and ten establishments where slot-type video games were installed.
The checks revealed that in two establishments nine video game machines were installed and functioning, which only apparently were slot machines, and therefore compliant with current legislation, but in reality they were video poker machines for which the required conformity, distribution and commissioning permits had not been issued by the State Monopolies and which were obviously not connected to the IT network of the state company which also regulates the management of the games and winnings.
The investigations revealed that in one establishment the video poker machines worked with euro coins, the proceeds of which were entirely acquired by the manager of the establishment, while in another establishment the operation occurred following the loading of credit onto the video poker machine, through a mechanical key, after payment of the bet directly to the manager.
In the aforementioned cases, since video poker machines were not subject to any telematic control by the State Monopolies, the winnings were exclusively controlled by the manager of the establishment who had adjusted the equipment as he pleased, evading the controls. Therefore, the agents proceeded to seize the video poker machines and the sums paid by the customers for their use.
The managers of the premises were given administrative sanctions for a total amount of one hundred and nine thousand euros and the Municipality of Salerno was asked to issue a suspension order for the activity.
Further investigations by the State Police are underway to ascertain the origin and suppliers of the aforementioned video poker machines.
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