An operation named "Gambling" and coordinated by Italy's Anti-Mafia Police led to the arrest of 41 individuals and the seizure of cash and assets for more than €2 billion on Wednesday, July 22.
The Italian authorities have also seized 82 online gambling websites and froze the assets of 11 companies based in Malta, Austria, Romania, and Spain. The accusations moved against those arrested include money laundering and the creation of an international scheme aimed at avoiding the country's regulation on betting and gambling.
According to the Magistrate in charge of the preliminary investigation Caterina Catalano, the gambling and betting ring was used by Italy's Mafia-type criminal organization 'Ndrangheta to launder money and keep control of the territory through a network of over 500 betting agencies.