The investigation lasted more than three years. In recent days, a European network of slot machines and illegal betting has been dismantled following a major operation mobilizing several hundred French and European agents, reports the public prosecutor of Rennes.
A total of 29 people were arrested in France, Germany and Italy, and six of them were indicted on Thursday. The suspects are “men aged 25 to 58, Turkish or Franco-Turkish, with no legal precedents”, specifies Philippe Astruc. Twenty machines were seized, “as well as more than 250,000 euros, real estate and vehicles, proceeds of offenses or resulting from the laundering of these crimes”.
Slot machines and computers
The business started in the Sarthe in 2019, with the discovery of several slot machines in the back rooms of Le Mans shops, then in other bars, around twenty, elsewhere in France. Laptops allowing users to connect to illicit online sports betting sites were also made available.
The investigation carried out by the specialized interregional jurisdiction of Rennes (Jirs) finally revealed an organization at European level. The funds, collected every month, were sent to Turkey, Romania, Germany and Italy.