Palma.A joint operation by National Police and Local Police rapid response units has uncovered an illegal Chinese gambling racket in Palma, sources close to the investigation confirmed yesterday.
A raid was carried out late on Friday night at a premises in Calle Hort de Torrella No. 34. The move came after the Local Police had become aware that the gaming hall with fruit machines at the site didn't have the correct municipal licence, and after suspicions had been arroused that illegal gambling by the Chinese community was taking place there.
Officers decided to mount a watch which resulted in Friday night's raid in conjunction with the National Police anti-gambling squad.
Twenty-one people had their details taken by police after around 6'000 euros in cash, dice and poker cards were seized from the gaming tables.
Although the premises have now been closed and fines imposed on the gamblers, a legal loophole does not allow the police to arrest the men. The activity of the gamblers is not technically stipulated as criminal but instead classed as a serious infraction against the Administration.
Police also found a large quantity of poorly conserved food in the gaming hall, suggesting that the gambling sessions went on for so long that players were eating on the premises.
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