Prato authorities dismantle six illegal gambling dens

Italian prosecutors and law enforcement agencies have uncovered six illegal gambling dens in Prato over a three-week period between October 2 and October 23, 2026. The operations targeted various locations, including private apartments, recreational and cultural associations, office buildings, and a commercial space originally intended for ready-to-wear fashion.

According to Prosecutor Luca Tescaroli, the establishments were managed by Chinese nationals and featured activities such as mahjong, online gambling via unauthorized platforms, and clandestine betting. While the managers were Chinese, investigators found both Chinese and Italian patrons, some of whom had prior criminal records related to illegal gambling.

Authorities seized over 33,000 euros in cash along with significant gambling equipment, including monitors, keyboards, headsets, computers, dice, and ledgers used to record transactions. Some locations were equipped with internal video surveillance and controlled access systems to monitor entrants.