CYPRUS: Two arrested for operating illegal casino

The owner of an illegal casino raided in Ypsonas and his receptionist are scheduled to appear in a British Bases Court in Episkopi on February 21 after they were bailed on a combined total of €13,000 Thursday.

The man, whose bail was set at €10,000, was charged with operating an illegal casino after police swooped on the premises at 8.30am and discovered the business operating inside.

His receptionist was charged with working in an illegal casino and for obstruction, after she was discovered attempting to shut-down the computers as the police closed in.

During the raid, officers at the scene confirmed approximately 84 computers used for gambling and €2,300 in cash was also seized.

A further 20 people have now been invited for interviews at the SBA Police station after they were found inside during the raid.

Speaking shortly after the initial bail hearing, Chief Inspector Panicos Panayi explained there was to be no let-up in the bases police efforts to eliminate illegal casinos within the Sovereign Base Areas.

He said: “This remains one of our force priorities and we will continue to enter these premises, make arrests and seize what we find inside.”

The SBA Police have been working tirelessly in recent years to combat the problem of illegal gambling and despite Cyprus now having a fully-licensed casino operating successfully in Limassol, the problem still persists on the island. 

But according to the Chief Inspector, the SBA Police are making huge inroads into eradicating the problem. 

He said: “There are of course still attractions to some people for gambling within this type of illegal casino, but we are gradually closing all of them down now and by making multiple arrests, which lead to successful prosecutions, we are confident that this will act as a strong enough deterrent to those taking part.”