Polish authorities cracked down on illegal gambling in 2024, seizing over 1,500 slot machines and dismantling criminal networks linked to illicit casinos.
In 2024, officers from the Mazovian Customs and Tax Service (SCS) conducted 234 inspections, seizing 1,592 illegal slot machines—nearly 15% more than in 2023, according to Dorota Beznosik-Majchrzak, spokesperson for the Warsaw Tax Office. The previous year, authorities dismantled a gambling ring, confiscating 589 machines and shutting down a storage facility for illegal gaming devices. The operation led to charges against 28 individuals for illegal gambling and money laundering.
Illegal Casinos and Crime Connections
Unlicensed gambling venues often serve as hubs for criminal activity. In Grójec County, authorities discovered 14 illegal slot machines, 1 kg of amphetamine, and 110,000 PLN in cash linked to gambling crimes, leading to arrests and charges. In Płock County, a joint operation with border guards uncovered narcotics and contraband cigarettes. Former hair salons in the area were found operating as clandestine casinos. Additional raids in Wólka Kosowska and Legionowo resulted in the seizure of slot machines, roulette tables, and the closure of multiple illegal gaming establishments.