Authorities seized 27 gaming machines that were not authorized to operate.
Chile.- In an operation carried out in the municipality of Independencia, in Santiago de Chile, authorities confiscated 27 gaming machines that lacked the necessary authorizations for operation. The illegal casino was located about 300 meters from the local municipality.
The operation was conducted following an investigation that began with complaints from local residents. Municipal officials entered the premises accompanied by carabineros and seized the machines. To gain access to the inside of the building, they had to break a gate located at the entrance.
The mayor of Independencia, Agustín Iglesias, told the local media Meganoticias that there are multiple casinos identified that operate without a license. "There is no casino in Independencia that has a commercial license, therefore, they cannot operate. Here there is non-compliance with the Casino Law because there are gambling activities and also non-compliance with the Municipal Revenue Law because there is a business that does not have municipal authorization. Therefore, we have come to inspect, to fine, and to take the machines," he explained.
The officials took 27 machines as part of a first regulatory operation carried out from the municipality. The authorities plan to carry out a second stage in another room, according to the local media.
See also: Operations against illegal gambling in Chile: the mayor of Coquimbo calls for intensifying measures
Meanwhile, on January 31, the Chilean Investigations Police (PDI) arrested 13 people in an operation against an illegal casino in La Cisterna. The action was coordinated with the South Metropolitan Prosecutor's Office and the national head of organized crime as the network was linked to drug trafficking, possession of weapons, and money laundering.
