The operation took place on Wednesday evening at premises on Chrobrego Street—right next to the “Ewela” cafeteria and just a stone’s throw from the prosecutor’s office. National Revenue Administration officers arrived at the scene and secured six gaming machines.
As Superintendent Marek Lech, a press officer taking part in the operation, reported:
“According to the information we received, the establishment had been operating there for some time. There were six machines inside. We are still counting the cash that was taken out of the machines,” Lech said.
Three people were detained and questioned at the scene.
According to the services, everything at this stage indicates that this was illegal gambling. However, confirming this requires specialist examinations:
“The procedures are clear. To confirm that the machines are illegal, our experiment alone is not enough. A court-appointed expert must also issue an opinion. Only then will it be possible to determine whether the law was actually broken,” the superintendent explained.
The operation attracted considerable interest from passers-by—especially since the establishment was operating almost next door to law enforcement authorities.
Charges and money from the machines
All those detained were charged—both with organizing illegal games and with participating in them. They were released after questioning.
Approximately PLN 5,000 in cash was secured from the machines and the premises. As Superintendent Lech admitted, this is a relatively small amount—there are cases in which officers have taken tens of thousands of złoty from a single establishment.
What happens next to the machines?
“The machines will be transported to a deposit warehouse. Our officers have already conducted preliminary experiments, which were documented. A court-appointed expert will then assess the legality of the machines. Ultimately, it is the court that will decide whether the law was broken,” Lech explains.
Severe penalties for illegal gambling
If the illegal nature of the devices and activity is confirmed, those responsible could face up to 10 years in prison, while the premises’ owner—if identified—could receive a fine of up to PLN 100,000 for each machine.
“Of course, players know where to go to indulge their inclinations. That is why there are still many such places, and the practice continues. This year alone, through the end of June, we seized approximately 300 machines in Lower Silesia,” Marek Lech concludes.
The case is developing. We will report on further findings by investigators.