Italians Uncover Another Illegal Betting & Poker Operation
The group, based in Salerno in southern Italy, operated across the country but particularly in the southern Basilicata, Calabria, and Campania regions. They used the illegal platforms of foreign websites that were unofficially active in Italy. Its organisation can be traced back to the Contaldo di Pagani clan linked to the Camorra, Naples' mafia organisation.
The network was expanded through collaboration with clans in other parts of Italy.
According to ansa.it "A total of 64 suspects are under investigation on charges including criminal conspiracy and illegal gambling. Police also seized 23 businesses - including an illegal dentist's office - and real estate. Eleven web sites have been blacked out with the help of police technological fraud experts."
According to calvinayre.com, "The list of online sites involved in Thursday’s action includes dgbpoker.com, pkgambling373.com, pkwildpoker.net, betfaktor.com, planetwin365.com and betaland.com, along with five derivatives of the Malta-licensed Betaland brand (new1betaland.com, new2, etc.)."
Austria’s SKS365 Group, which owns Planetwin365 and OIA Services Ltd, which owns Betaland have both denied any knowledge or involvement in the scam, with SKS365 stating that the criminals has "exploited the reputation of the brand to carry out their illicit activities."