Third consecutive raid on Swiss house over illegal poker

(AsiaGameHub) –   A residential property in Zürich has appeared repeatedly in local law enforcement records, as the address has been raided yet again over illegal gambling activities.

In an official press release, the Swiss Federal Casino Commission (ESBK) issued a joint announcement alongside the Zürich Cantonal Police, confirming that a property raid had been conducted and arrests had been made in connection with unlicensed poker operations held at the site.

Upon arriving on the scene, authorities discovered four illegal poker tables set up, leading to the confiscation of €7,590 (£6589) and CHF 1,850 (£1,790) in cash, bags holding gaming chips, assorted IT equipment, and numerous mobile phones.

Altogether 23 people were present at the address when the raid was executed, with officials confirming that three individuals have been arrested on suspicion of organizing illegal gambling, one of whom is the manager of the bar that also operates out of the same property.

Notably, this marks the third time this same address has been raided since 2023.

The ESBK further stated that it has launched three separate criminal proceedings, accusing the suspects of violating gambling regulations under the Swiss Gambling Act, which could also lead to anti-money laundering charges being filed if the three are found guilty.

A violation of the Gambling Act rules alone can carry a maximum prison sentence of five years, paired with significant financial penalties for both organizations and private individuals.

SBC News readers may recall a similar case from December last year, when the ESBK and police carried out another successful illegal gambling raid targeting two addresses in Switzerland.

During that earlier operation, confiscated items included CHF 10,000 (£9,300) in cash, one poker table, slot machines, and multiple electronic devices. Another suspected ringleader was taken into custody at the time, with CHF 10,000 found on his person, which prompted a search of his private residence as well. An additional 25 people were also detained for questioning.