Austria Cracks Down on Illegal Lottery Operation

Austria has cracked down on an illegal lottery operation, which sold tickets worldwide. Following a raid on the operation’s headquarters in Vienna, the authorities discovered evidence of the illegal operation, leading to potential consequences for the operators.

The Illegal Operation Reached Countless People Online

The raid followed a thorough investigation by the Vienna police. According to a report by the Ministry of Finance, the illegal operation enticed players with promises of expensive rewards, including luxury cars and Rolex watches.

However, the illegal lottery lacked the license necessary to offer such games and operated in breach of Austrian law. It also committed tax violations on a large scale and deliberately sought to avoid legal scrutiny.

Authorities furthermore understood that the operation sold tickets both in-person and online. Its online operation spanned across Facebook and other similar online platforms.

The Raid’s Success Was Praised by the Finance Minister

The raid on the illegal operation happened on March 26 and involved members of several enforcement bodies. The authorities raided the operation’s HQ in Vienna, which was located in a residential building, and discovered a variety of illegal goods, as well as evidence of the operation.

The officers also discovered detailed records of the lottery’s activity, allowing them to grasp the size of the illicit operation. They understood that the lottery generated a six-figure profit, none of which was declared.

People involved in the operation of the illegal lottery now face a variety of charges due to their violations of the country’s gambling and tax laws. Since some of them were foreign nationals, they also face possible deportation.

The success of the raid was hailed by finance minister Markus Marterbauer and state secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl who warned of the multiple dangers associated with such criminal enterprises. According to them, such operators not only commit gambling crimes but also severe tax crimes.

Tax Hikes Put Regulated Gaming in Peril

In other news, the Austrian government recently proposed a tax hike on betting. Lawmakers sought to raise the tax from 2% to 5% to address the budget deficit. However, Casinos Austria’s general director, Erwin van Lambaart, argued that this will expose land-based gambling halls and properties to financial hardship and lead to closures and job losses.

In addition to this tax increase, Austria also considered raising the gambling tax to 10%.