Austria: police reports major drop in illegal gambling operations

Garance Limouzy August 8, 2024

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Austria: police reports major drop in illegal gambling operations

In Austria, the authorities are winning the war against illegal land-based gambling, according to the Austrian Finance Ministry and its financial police. Data from the first half of the year indicates a marked improvement compared to previous years.

Decrease in fines and confiscations

During the first six months of 2024, Austria’s financial police imposed fines totalling €962,000 for illegal gambling activities. This represents a significant decrease from the €2.75 million in fines issued during the same period in 2023. According to the financial police, this decline in penalties reflects the ongoing reduction in illegal gambling operations across the country.

The number of illegal gambling machines confiscated also saw a sharp decline. In 2024, authorities seized 51 machines from 70 establishments, a consequent drop from the 274 machines confiscated from similar operations in 2023.

Persistent hotspots

However, “the hotspots of illegal gambling remain Upper Austria, Salzburg and Vienna,” explained the ministry.
Despite the overall improvement, certain regions in Austria continue to struggle with illegal gambling. These areas have remained stubbornly resistant to the complete eradication of unlawful activities, requiring ongoing vigilance from authorities.

Operation IKARUS

Last March, law enforcement agencies carried out “Operation IKARUS” which involved 19 house searches in Austria and Greece, targeting an organised crime group engaged in illegal gambling, tax fraud, and other criminal activities.

165 emergency personnel from various Austrian law enforcement agencies were deployed in the operation, which also included international cooperation with the Greek financial police. The raids resulted in the confiscation of several hundred gambling machines, computers, documents, and large sums of cash. Accounts linked to the illegal activities were frozen, and numerous suspects were interrogated.

The operation was a major blow to the criminal network, operating through a complex system of front companies and fake residences. These entities managed numerous illegal gambling establishments in Upper Austria, with operations being monitored and controlled from Greece.

“Persistence is bearing fruit”

Finance Minister Magnus Brunner explained that the cooperation between various authorities has been instrumental in achieving?the overall decrease in illegal gambling activity.

“The close networking and good cooperation between the different authorities is a guarantee for the successful fight against illegal gambling. This success shows that the persistence of the investigators is bearing fruit. Illegal gambling knows no player protection and can destroy livelihoods. Every illegal machine that is taken out of circulation is an important building block in the fight against illegal gambling, which we will continue unabated. I would like to thank all the emergency services involved. Because no matter what uniform they wear, their common goal is the security of Austria,” Brunner declared.