Italian police close bar and gambling club over public‑order violations

The State Police in Catania sealed a bar on Via Messina for seven days, invoking article 100 of the Public Security Code after repeated checks identified regular patrons with serious criminal records—including offences such as assault, theft and extortion—who were deemed a risk to public order.

In a separate operation in Civitanova (province of Macerata), police shut down a private gambling club for fifteen days. A raid on 21 May uncovered dozens of patrons gambling with cards and cash on the tables, handwritten betting slips, and evidence of food‑safety breaches. The venue also hosted individuals with prior convictions, prompting the prefectural authority to issue a precautionary suspension of its licence.

Both measures were described by officials as preventive actions aimed at restoring legality, protecting community safety and deterring illegal gathering places.