They had been “fake” to eliminate the winnings, with serious economic damage to the state coffers.
The Carabinieri of the Cammarata company shed light on a sophisticated system for manipulating machinery during some administrative checks in bars and gaming halls between Cammarata and San Giovanni Gemini with the collaboration of the staff of the Customs agencies of Agrigento, Palermo, Trapani and Messina.
This made it possible to identify slot machines inside which two motherboards were installed: one legal and one illegal. The latter was able to interrupt the electronic flow of accounting data, eliminating the winnings and generating illicit profit for the owners of the premises estimated at around 5 thousand euros per day. A remote control in their possession allowed them to activate the “switch” from one card to another, making it impossible for the monopolies to monitor the actual gaming operations.
A total of 6 slot machines were seized, together with 12 motherboards, 6 antennas, 2 conversion devices, 4 remote controls and approximately 5,000 euros in one and two euro coins, believed to be proceeds of the illicit activity.
Complaints were then filed against the owners of 4 bars and amusement arcades and the owner of a concessionary company for the supply and installation of slot machines. The alleged crime is aggravated fraud against the State, computer fraud, embezzlement and interception, impediment and illicit interruption of computer and telematic communications.
High fines of over 300 thousand euros.
