Latest News
Operation ‘Cheap Ink’: EPPO cracks down on €58 million VAT fraud involving office supplies
In an operation code-named ‘Cheap Ink’, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Venice (Italy) today detained 18 suspects, believed to be part of a criminal organisation selling office supplies at cheap prices by fraudulently avoiding VAT payment, with profits estimated at €58 million.
The investigation started in 2020, following targeted administrative checks against a number of companies operating in the trade of stationery and consumables for printing equipment. The extremely cheap prices charged for these products, not in line with the market, had aroused suspicions from the Italian Financial Police (Nucleo di Polizia Economico Finanziaria Bolzano –Guardia di Finanza).
Subsequent investigations revealed the existence of a complex fraud scheme involving more than 30 suspects who, using a network of companies located mainly in the Triveneto region, but also in numerous EU countries, handled the importation of these products into Italy, systematically failing to pay VAT.
The VAT evasion allowed the group to resell the imported products – mainly toners for professional printers, but also stationery – at extremely advantageous prices, distorting the principles of fair competition on the market.
Two entrepreneurs of Paduan origin, who remain in custody, are believed to be the promoters of the scheme, which involved using destitute people as ‘straw-men’ for around 30 companies, making it impossible to recover the due VAT. The assets of both suspects, amounting to €26 million, are being seized by Court order.
According to the investigation, the profits of the fraud allowed the suspects to acquire huge personal assets, including a Ferrari and other luxury cars, as well as valuable real estate.
The group is also suspected of laundering money through lucrative investments in Italy and abroad, in tourism, catering, real estate and cryptocurrencies.
At the request of the EPPO, the Judge for Preliminary Investigations of the Court of Padua issued the following coercive measures for the suspects arrested during today’s operation: three will remain in prison, eight under house arrest and three in compulsory residence. In addition, four suspects were banned from the exercise of executive offices of legal persons and enterprises.
In order to recover the damages to the national and EU budgets, the court ordered the preventive seizure of money and financial assets, vehicles and real estate to a total value of approximately €58 million, to be executed against 19 individuals and 20 companies. Shareholdings of eight companies are also being seized.
Today’s operation involved 30 searches carried out mainly in Veneto, but also in other northern Italian regions, by more than 100 Financial Police officers and ‘cash dogs’ – canine units specialised in searching for currency.
The investigation, which was ongoing for more than two years and was coordinated by the EPPO, involved the South Tyrolean Financial Police officers, in cooperation with investigative units from Czechia, UK, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, the Netherlands and Germany.
Dario Leiman Head of Business Development in Latin America at SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS Promotes Dario Leiman to Head of Business Development in Latin America
SOFTSWISS, a leading global provider of iGaming software, announces the promotion of Dario Leiman from Regional Business Development Manager to Head of Business Development in Latin America.
SOFTSWISS has been actively focusing on building a solid foundation in Latin America since early 2024. As Regional Business Development Manager, Dario successfully established key partnerships that helped the company become a prominent player in the region. His efforts secured certifications for the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator in Brazil and the Game Aggregator in both Brazil and Peru. These milestones underscore the company’s commitment to meeting local regulatory requirements.
Rubens Barrichello, Non-Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, comments: “SOFTSWISS has assembled one of the strongest teams of professionals for such a crucial market as Latin America. Dario’s promotion ensures we have the right expertise to guide our expansion here. I’m looking forward to seeing how the region will continue to grow under his leadership.”
In his new role as Head of Business Development in Latin America, Dario will oversee the development of business strategies to enhance SOFTSWISS’ market position in the region. This includes building new and nurturing existing partnerships and implementing the latest tech innovations that meet operators’ and players’ needs.
Dario Leiman, Head of Business Development in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, shares: “I am truly honoured to take on this role. Our recent certifications in Brazil and Peru have opened up incredible prospects for local and international operators. I’ll do my best to ensure that SOFTSWISS continues to deliver best-in-class solutions tailored to the unique gaming landscape of Latin America.”
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Promotes Dario Leiman to Head of Business Development in Latin America appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Altenar is launching a series of free online webinars with helpful tips and advice for operators to gain a better understanding of how to maximise the potential of their sportsbook.
In the webinars titled ‘Behind The Bet’, experts from across Altenar’s departments will present their thoughts on a range of topics aimed at educating the audience and helping them optimise their sportsbook offering.
As a leading sportsbook provider in regulated markets around the world, Altenar’s products are tailored to the demands of various regions and are developed based on the localised expertise of the team.
Account managers already play an important role in the business development of existing clients but ‘Behind The Bet’ will allow both current and potential customers to improve their understanding of various markets, regulations and sportsbook products.
The webinars will be held in English, Spanish and Portuguese to cater to the needs of a global audience, with the presentations followed by a question-and-answer session.
The first edition of Behind The Bet will focus on one of the hottest topics in the iGaming industry as Altenar’s Head of Licensing and Regulatory Compliance Magno Neiva and Sales Manager Frederico Caputi discuss the legal landscape in Brazil.
Charlie Williams, Commercial Director at Altenar, said: “The newly regulated market has opened up exciting opportunities for iGaming companies, but there are also many regulatory challenges to overcome in order to maximize market potential. Altenar’s success in highly regulated markets across the globe, and in South America, positions us to deliver a flexible range of products and services to help our clients grow in Brazil.”
Magno Neiva, Head of Licensing and Regulatory Compliance, said: “The Brazilian iGaming market is evolving rapidly, presenting exciting opportunities for operators and providers alike. As one of the most dynamic and promising regions in the industry, Brazil is at the centre of innovation and the new regulatory advancements are shaping the future of online betting and gaming in South America.
“Altenar is proud to be part of this journey, bringing its expertise and cutting-edge solutions to a market that is poised for significant growth.”
This webinar, the first in a series, could not have chosen a more relevant market to explore. Through this discussion, Altenar aims to showcase how its advanced sportsbook and gaming solutions can help businesses thrive in this fast-moving environment.
The first edition of Behind The Bet will be held in Portuguese and takes place on March 12 at 11am (Brazilian Standard Time).
The post Altenar offers sportsbook advice with ‘Behind The Bet’ webinars appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
After becoming one of the first B2B suppliers to get their sportsbook solution successfully GLI-certified for Brazil, Delasport has now achieved compliance with the requirements of SIGAP regarding its iGaming platform.
Obtaining the required GLI certifications and the integration with the Brazilian DataVault through SIGAP’s official API means that the solution is fully ready to dive headfirst into the market.
The certifications granted by Gaming Labs International to Delasport include the required set of approvals: the technical certificates for Betting System, Sports Betting Server (Sportsbook), a.k.a. Remote Game Server (RGS), and more.
Delasport also covers the geofencing requirements and the requirements for safer gambling monitoring and AML transaction monitoring.
Part of the implementations include an intricate system with multi-factor authentication and a modern KYC provider, meeting all requirements of the market.
Just days ago, Delasport announced its first Brazilian deal with Latam-based B2B platform provider Vibra Solutions. This is all part of the company’s global expansion strategy where Brazil and LatAm in general is a key region to get established in.
“Successfully completing this second phase of GLI certification for Brazil reinforces the trust that players and operators place in Delasport’s products”, says Filippo Ferri, Delasport’s Chief Compliance Officer. “This certification highlights our ability to uphold the highest industry standards of integrity and fairness”, he concludes.
The post Delasport’s Full Platform Now Certified in Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
SOFTSWISS Promotes Dario Leiman to Head of Business Development in Latin America
Altenar offers sportsbook advice with ‘Behind The Bet’ webinars
Delasport’s Full Platform Now Certified in Brazil
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Team Members Awarded $10 Million in Bonuses Based on 2024 Record-Breaking Results
Casino Industry Experts Honor Aristocrat Gaming as “Best Overall Supplier of Slot Content” at the 2025 Eilers & Krejcik Gaming Slot Awards
Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched
St8 agrees partnership to integrate Tequity’s White Label Originals
DNSFilter Data Reveals Dangers to Fake Gambling Sites and Illegal Streaming in Lead Up to Super Bowl LIX
Bombay Group Enters a New Era with Kevin McGowen taking the lead as CEO
IBIA establishes innovative Payment Provider Forum to protect the integrity of the sports betting market in Brazil from financial fraud
-
gaming2 years agoODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory8 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News7 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News6 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News6 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News7 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018
