Zurich police recently arrested the alleged head of a mafia-like organisation that ran illegal gambling operations in Switzerland. The boss is said to have earned several million Swiss francs a month from various sports betting and casino sites. According to press reports, his contacts went as far as the North Cypriot government.

There are always reports of gambling and criminal activity: Wherever there is a lot of money, lawbreakers are often not far away - and this is by no means limited to online casinos and sports betting. However, these are often relatively minor offences. A case of the magnitude that has now been uncovered in Switzerland is rather rare and is in fact comparable to the incidents surrounding the bookmakers' tipsters. We have reported on the latter several times - from the large-scale raid on tipster in April to the withdrawal of its German licence and the possible future of the betting provider.

It remains to be seen whether the current events in Switzerland will have a similar impact. In any case, the facts are explosive: the head of a veritable gambling mafia has been arrested in Zurich. The man, who has Turkish roots, is said to have had contacts in the highest circles of Turkish politics. He is said to have made millions in Switzerland with several illegal Internet sites offering sports betting and casino games. The investigation has been ongoing for several years.

Several arrests - the public prosecutor's office has already been investigating since 2019

On Thursday 14 September, the handcuffs snapped: the cantonal police in Zurich arrested five men who allegedly offered illegal sports betting and casino games online. This is according to a press release issued by the police and the Office of the Public Prosecutor II of the Canton of Zurich. It also states that the authorities have been investigating the case since 2019. Extensive investigations were carried out on suspicion of illegal gambling.

The suspicion has now apparently been confirmed in a legally verifiable manner: According to Swiss television (SRF), the police intervened on the morning of 14 September. Four suspects aged between 20 and 45 were arrested. They are three Swiss nationals and one Turkish national, who is the alleged leader of the gang.

Extensive network and millions of Swiss francs from illegal sports betting and casino games

According to Swiss television, the group is said to have had a wide network of partners in several cantons under the leadership of the main suspect from Zurich. In addition to a large number of henchmen, i.e. money collectors and other gangsters, highly qualified IT specialists and dozens of operators of premises where gambling was offered are said to have been involved.

The platforms involved are Siskowin.com, Solobet.com and Sportwin.com. As the core of the business, they are said to have generated most of the revenue. The Swiss authorities blocked the addresses several times, but they kept going online under different domains. For years, profits of several million Swiss francs a month were regularly made, an insider told Swiss television.

A spokeswoman for the Federal Gaming Commission described the operation as "very worrying": Their statement suggests that the proceeds of illegal gambling may have been used to finance serious crimes such as human trafficking or drug dealing.

Connections in high political circles

Apparently, the head of the Zurich gambling mafia was also no stranger to higher political circles. According to several press reports, a photograph is circulating of him with the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar. The photo was taken in July 2023. The occasion is said to have been an official reception.

It is said that the head of the organisation wanted to expand his business in Cyprus. Northern Cyprus, in particular, is known for its gambling industry and has been repeatedly linked to corrupt dealings in the sector.

Conclusion

Illegal gambling with millions in turnover, networks of accomplices, money collectors, insiders and political contacts: It really does sound like the kind of mafia structures we know from Hollywood classics.

In fact, much more may come to light in this case. The presumption of innocence still applies. But the investigation, which has been going on for several years, suggests that the prosecution has a lot of solid evidence that not only justifies the seizure, but also ensures the success of further steps.

It is interesting to note that at least Solobet.com is still online. Of course, we strongly advise you not to play there! It is possible that there are other people behind this who are ensuring that the platform remains operational. We will keep you updated on this matter.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/pate-portr%C3%A4t-schauspieler-mann-4292451/

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