Three Crime Prevention Squad raids around Cyprus had by the early hours yesterday dealt a blow to illegal gambling facilities.

According to a police report, squad members raided a Lakatamia venue to find four people gambling. There were also three computers, two of which were connected to the internet. The third was being used to manage gambling activities.

Confiscating evidence from the scene, the police also charged the venue’s manager and the four patrons in writing.

Members of Paphos’ Crime Prevention Squad raided two venues, confiscating 36 computer towers which the police believe had been modified to be used as slot machines.

One venue was raided in Ayia Napa. Police there confiscated four computer towers, also thought to be used as slot machines.

Investigations in all three locations are continuing.

Although many EU countries have embraced online gambling, Cyprus’s banned the practice through the 2012 Betting Act.

Live casinos are also currently illegal as such although the Anastasiades government last year approved licensing an as yet unselected investor to create an integrated resort in one district plus two “satellite casinos” in another two districts.

Cyprus Weekly