A recent operation by Italian law enforcement has busted what is believed to be an illegal gambling operation in the country’s Brindisi area. Authorities also arrested one man suspected of being a high-ranking official in the Sacra Corona Unita criminal family. This development aligns with Italy’s ongoing fight to root out illegal gambling and other types of organized crime within its borders.
Authorities Raided a Suspected Illegal Gambling Hub
On October 28, Italian police executed a court seizure order targeting Tobia Parisi, considered one of the top-ranking figures in the Sacra Corona Unita criminal organization. Authorities also took action against his partner and other relatives. Last June, Parisi was sentenced to 13 years in prison for attempted extortion — a verdict that is currently under appeal.
Police seized significant assets. First among them was the Free Time Lounge Bar, located in the town of Mesagne. The 10,700-square-foot building was considered to be a logistical hub for the criminal organization and an operational center for a clandestine gambling network. Authorities also seized Carlucci Car, a nearby dealership that Parisi allegedly controlled through an intermediary.
Other seized assets of note include a high-end apartment in Brindisi, formally registered to his partner, and a small villa in the countryside. Investigators believe the latter was previously used to hide the crime boss Daniele Vicientino while he was a fugitive. Police also seized vehicles purchased with illicit funds, numerous bank accounts, savings deposits, and prepaid cards held at various financial institutions.
Crackdowns Against Organized Crime Continue
Parisi initially drew investigators’ scrutiny because his reported earnings did not match his lifestyle. Although he was officially registered as an agricultural worker, he allegedly controlled assets worth at least EUR 600,000 ($669,000). Parisi also made significant investments, as officials allege his criminal past spanned the last 25 years.
Italian police have steadily intensified their crackdowns against illegal gambling and other types of organized crime. In July, authorities targeted illegal gambling dens in the Agrigento region, seizing unlicensed machines and levying approximately $23,000 in fines. Police found that machines at one hub were not connected to the PREU network, which imposes Italy’s gaming levy.
Earlier in February, police in the Italian province of Reggio Calabria cracked down on an illegal gaming den. The location was a fully-fledged gaming shop and was reportedly tied to a Maltese gaming licensee. While organized crime remains a persistent issue in Italy, these recent actions have demonstrated that authorities will not tolerate unlicensed gambling as they aim to channel more users toward regulated offerings.