Naples: Illegal children's play center seized

Naples – An unlicensed and unsafe children's playground. The first intervention was carried out by officers from the San Lorenzo Operations Unit in Piazza Nazionale.

Inside a catering establishment, checks led to the discovery of a playground-type play structure, composed of padded modules and multi-level play tracks, intended for the entertainment of minors for a fee: the entrance fee was set at three euros.

The investigations immediately highlighted the critical issues: the owner did not possess either a public entertainment license or a certificate of occupancy, essential documents for ensuring the safety of users, especially children.

The structure was placed under preventive seizure and the person responsible was reported to the judicial authorities.

An illegal slot machine parlor above a bar in Secondigliano

The situation emerged from the administrative inspection conducted by the Secondigliano Operations Unit at a bar on Via di Miano, revealing a much more complex situation. Numerous irregularities were already found on the ground floor of the establishment: five administrative violations were reported, including illegal occupation of public land, unauthorized signs and awning, failure to display video surveillance signs, and irregularities in the sound system.

But it was on the upper floor that the situation became even more serious. Officers discovered an illegal gaming room measuring approximately 90 square meters, equipped with tables, chairs, a foosball table, a pool table, and eleven slot machine-type gaming machines, all unlicensed. Nine of these were turned on and fully functional, with no connection to the Customs and Monopolies Agency's control network, and the prohibited games list required by the Consolidated Law on Public Safety was also missing.

Electricity theft and seizures

To complete the list of irregularities, the officers discovered an illegal electrical connection, presumably used to power slot machines without paying the associated costs. The immediate disconnection of the power supply was ordered.

The owner was fined and reported to the judicial authorities on charges of gambling, installing unlicensed gaming machines, and aggravated electricity theft. The eleven machines and the premises used as a gaming room were preemptively seized. Further investigations are ongoing to determine any construction irregularities.