The Regional Administrative Court of Campania has established the legitimacy of the denial of the license for the collection of bets issued by the Police Headquarters of Naples to an agency located in the Poggioreale neighborhood. The decision, adopted following an appeal filed by the business owner, confirms concerns about alleged ties to organized crime.
The investigation, as reported by the Agipro agency, conducted by the Poggioreale Police Station, revealed a criminal record for illegal gambling and betting, and the applicant's family members' association with criminals, factors that highlighted the risk of family management with possible external influences.
In rejecting the appeal, the TAR emphasized that assessing reliability does not require proof of direct criminal infiltration, but can be based on a preventive assessment of future risks to public safety. The ruling also highlights that family relationships can be significant when there are indications of interference in the management of the business, especially if they suggest collective management and family direction.
In this specific case, the presence of a criminal record and the frequent visits of the owner's parents to the premises were deemed sufficient to justify the denial of the license. The Regional Administrative Court reiterated that such preventive measures are necessary to protect public safety and prevent potential interference with the proper operation of the betting business.
It seems like a complex decision, and understandable on paper, but I don't understand how the justice system can judge solely on "frequent actions" and relatives; there's no direct evidence, it seems like a precaution, perhaps excessive but also necessary for public safety, and procedural uncertainty and doubts remain.