Illegal gambling Thessaloniki: 20 arrests, profits exceeding €1 million
Greek police dismantled an illegal gambling ring in Thessaloniki and Kavala, with 20 arrests and illegal profits exceeding €1 million.
13-year illegal gambling ring dismantled in Thessaloniki
Twenty people were arrested on the morning of Thursday, 15 October 2026, during a major police operation in areas of Thessaloniki. According to Newsit.gr, Greek police dismantled a criminal organisation that was illegally operating gambling games in Thessaloniki and Kavala, with estimated illegal profits exceeding one million euros.
Of the 20 people arrested, 18 were allegedly members of the organisation — among them individuals with leadership roles. The remaining two were customers of the establishments and were released on an oral order from the public prosecutor for criminal prosecution.
Manipulation of results via specialised software
The establishments used by the organisation were mainly internet cafés, equipped with electronic computers and illegal software for conducting gambling games. The system allowed leadership members to intervene in payouts and select which players would win. Customers played believing that the odds of winning were real, unaware that the randomness mechanism could be bypassed.
Panic button and lookouts to avoid inspections
The organisation had taken special measures to avoid police inspections. Members operated as "lookouts", monitoring the areas around the establishments and alerting others in case of suspicious activity. An electronic panic button had also been installed: when activated, the contents of computer screens changed immediately, concealing any illegal activity.
Structured hierarchy from 2013
According to a multi-month investigation by the Economic Crimes Prosecution Department, the organisation had been structured at least since 2013, with a clear division of roles. A 55-year-old man was reportedly in a central role, coordinating the establishments, deciding on new members and managing illegal profits through cameras installed in the premises. A 68-year-old, described as deputy leader, took charge of staff supervision, management of collections and technical support.
The role of a 40-year-old was particularly significant, who, according to police, remotely managed the illegal software, dealt with technical problems and trained the staff. Following orders from the leader, he selected the players to whom profits would be allocated. A 51-year-old woman reportedly had a key role in the circulation and concealment of money, holding bank accounts for the transfer of amounts originating from the illegal activity.
"Straw men" and money laundering
The police investigation also revealed the method of concealing the true ownership of the establishments. Certain individuals appeared on paperwork as company owners, without having actual control of the businesses. The so-called "straw men" were used to conceal the connection of leadership members to the activities, but also to avoid financial obligations.
The money was reportedly channelled through bank accounts and gambling activity accounts, so as to conceal its origin. From the financial investigation, it was also established that two leadership members had expenses that did not correspond to their declared income.
Account freezes and seizures
The Financial Intelligence Unit was informed of the case, which proceeded to freeze bank and betting accounts of leadership members. During searches of houses, establishments and vehicles, police officers seized significant sums of money, electronic equipment and other items. The equipment will be examined as part of the investigation into the operation of the illegal games and the financial transactions of the organisation.
Case file against 34 people in total
A case file was drawn up against the 20 arrested individuals and a further 14 people, a total of 34 persons. The offences include, as appropriate, participation in a criminal organisation, aggravated fraud, breaches of gambling legislation, legalisation of proceeds from criminal activities and breaches of data protection legislation. The arrested individuals were taken to the competent public prosecutor's office.
The investigation by the authorities describes an organised enterprise that allegedly operated for more than 13 years, with illegal profits estimated at over one million euros.
Source: Newsit.gr