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Operation ‘Cheap Ink’: EPPO cracks down on €58 million VAT fraud involving office supplies

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate summer with Friday night fireworks

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The Plaza Hotel & Casino will celebrate the start of every weekend this summer with a live fireworks show Friday nights at 9:15 p.m., beginning May 24 for Memorial Day weekend through Aug. 30 for Labor Day weekend.
Inspired by the fireworks shows at Disneyland, the Plaza’s Welcome to the Weekend Summer Friday Fireworks will light up the sky above downtown Las Vegas and be part of a festive summer block party atmosphere at the property’s Carousel Bar and rooftop pool deck.
“The Plaza is known for its great fireworks on New Year’s Eve and July 4th, but who says fireworks are only for those holidays?” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “This summer, we wanted to celebrate and give a gift to everyone downtown by sharing the excitement and fun of our fireworks shows with them every Friday night.”
“Las Vegas is the world’s destination because of all the spectacular attractions that are available here,” City of Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said. “The Plaza is adding a new weekly fireworks extravaganza this summer, and everyone is invited to visit downtown Las Vegas and enjoy the show!”
Derek Stevens, CEO and Owner of Circa Resort & Casino said “The weekly fireworks show will amp up Fremont Street’s high-energy atmosphere to a new level. It’s a terrific addition for the entire neighborhood, providing another exciting reason for visitors to come downtown. Huge thanks to Jonathan and the Plaza team for bringing this idea to life. We’ll definitely be enjoying the show every week from Circa’s rooftop lounge, Legacy Club.”
The fireworks shot from the Plaza’s towers will be visible to the thousands of tourists and locals in downtown Las Vegas as well as for miles beyond. Plaza hotel guests will be able to enjoy the fireworks from an exclusive viewing party on its rooftop pool deck where the fireworks will be “ignited” by a special guest pushing a detonator button on an oversized TNT box.
To attract even more people to stay downtown, the Plaza introduced the only all-inclusive hotel room package starting at $125 per person per night. The package includes bottomless drinks, breakfast and dinner, a free bingo session, waived resort fees, and more. Rooms must be booked online by June 30 for a stay June 1 through July 1.
The Friday night rooftop pool party for hotel guests will feature the Frozen Firecracker, a special red, white, and blue cocktail made with strawberry daiquiri, pina colada, and blue lemonade spiked with Don Q Rum. At Carousel Bar the summer party vibe continues every Friday night with a DJ and the specialty cocktail Watermelon Agua Fresca made with Mi Campo tequila, Jägermeister, rose aperitivo, watermelon juice, chamoy, and aloe leaves as a garnish.
“Downtown Las Vegas is already a vibrant, unique, and exciting destination. Our Summer Friday Fireworks paired with our all-inclusive room package and great summertime block party atmosphere at Carousel Bar and the rooftop pool deck will be even more reasons to come downtown this summer,” added Jossel.
The Plaza’s fireworks will be dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation.

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Week 16/2024 slot games releases

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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

Habanero, is introducing the Reel Rewards feature in its new 6×3 reel slot Golden Taj Mahal. Paying homage to Indian culture, the game sees tigers, candles, precious gemstones, the prince and princess as well as the magic lamp Wild fill the grid as the slot’s symbols. At the top of the board, there are six empty spots which can be filled by the Reel Rewards mechanic on any spin, awarding a prize ranging from 2x, 3x or 5x multipliers to a Wild, which transforms all symbols below it.

 

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After releasing the frenzy of a slot game that was Brick Snake 2000, the award-winning slot provider is now set to release Tombstone No Mercy an upgraded refresh of its 2019 hit slot, Tombstone. The 2024 refresh stays true to the original game and introduces Nolimit Bonus Buys and Nolimit Booster into the mix. With the introduction of Nolimit Bonus Buys, players can buy right into the bonus rounds; Justice Spins, Gunslinger

 

 

Games Global exclusive studio PearFiction Studios has unveiled its latest release, Cerberus Gold, incorporating three engaging LockNWin bonuses that can be combined for great win potential. This mythological title boasts an exciting triple collection mechanic that sees each collection pot protected by a head of the fearsome guardian of the underworld, Cerberus, who precariously sits above the reel set.

 

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4ThePlayer in collaboration with Yggdrasil is unveiling its new release, 4K Ultra Gold MoneyWays, through the YGG Masters platform. This game evolves 4ThePlayer’s popular MoneyWays mechanic as seen in the top-performing 4 Fantastic series where cash on the reels is won by forming ways wins without the need for additional symbols or features. In 4K Ultra Gold, every cash symbol is boosted when it lands on the reels, creating additional excitement and anticipation.

 

Push Gaming has released the second in its series of DJ games, DJ Cat, which brings a range of new features to amp up engagement. Following the success of DJ Fox, this new follow-up retains the easy-to-understand, win-what-you-see gameplay, adding in larger win multipliers. Lining up CD symbols helps players to build big prizes while VIP icons grant access to spin the decks and feed the Multiplier Meter. Arrow symbols crank the volume and unlock more reels using the iconic Push-Up feature.

 

Inspired Entertainment is thrilled to announce its latest slot game, Spin 2 Riches™, now available the UK B3/LBO market. Offering players an unparalleled gaming experience filled with mystery symbols and Fortune Spins. Spin 2 Riches invites players to embark on a thrilling adventure where every spin brings the promise of untold riches.

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PG Soft, a world-class digital mobile games company, is on target again with its latest fun-filled game release, Piñata Wins. Set against a vibrant fiesta backdrop, Piñata Wins is a five-reel and three-row title offering players a colourful gaming experience with plenty of features with an opportunity to make big returns from multipliers up to x100. The reels are brought to life with symbols that celebrate Mexican culture including tacos, maracas, skulls, sombreros and chillies.

 

Endorphina, has announced the release of its latest slot game, Moon Tiger, on April 17th. Featuring 5 reels, 3 rows, 25 fixed paylines, and cool bonuses, the slot will soon join Endorphina’s portfolio of over 150  games. Inspired by Chinese mythology, this slot embodies the legendary White Tiger, a creature born from a rare occurrence in the heavens.

Endorphina introduces its newest title - Moon Tiger!

 

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Blueprint Gaming is inviting players to live like royalty and reign over Phrygia in its latest scatter-pay release, the Greek mythology-themed Midas King of Gold. Players attempt to turn every touch into gold in this 6×5 scatter pays title, with the King himself appearing in symbols on the game’s richly coloured board alongside royal pillars and ancient artifacts.

Luxury and grandeur await in latest Blueprint Gaming title Midas King of Gold

 

Playson, the fast-growing digital entertainment supplier, has combined the striking themes of its most successful games in its latest title Energy Joker: Hold and Win. With coins, electricity and a grinning joker, this fast-paced release has lightning running through its reels. The blue Collect feature strikes the cells and gathers all values, including the Mini, Minor and Major jackpots and Bonus symbols.

Playson grants clown unlimited powers in Energy Joker: Hold and Win

 

 

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Spinomenal has released its new hit, Queen of the Amazon. Set amongst the lush rainforest, this 5×4 slot welcomes players on an adventure where treasure awaits intrepid explorers. A majestic Amazon headdress, tiger, gorilla, and snake, make up the Medium symbols on the reels. At the heart of the story stands the queen herself, representing the Wild symbol.

 

 

Embark on a thrilling journey across continents in 80 Day Escapade, the dramatic new slot from Boldplay that offers multiple features for endless excitement and rewards. With its 5×3 reels and 243 ways to win, players will enjoy a world of adventure and fortune but the real excitement begins with the set of exciting bonus features.

 

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The post Week 16/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Aviatrix and Vibra Solutions Agree Partnership with Focus on Latin America

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Aviatrix, the crash game that’s changing the way online casinos engage their players, has partnered with platform provider Vibra Solutions in yet another move that expands its reach in Latin America.

Aviatrix’s push into Latin America has really picked up pace over recent months and that continues with this deal.

Vibra Gaming has established itself as a major player in the region since it was founded in 2020 and later with the launch of Vibra Solutions in 2022, its platforms and content aggregation division. Now operators using its platform will be able to offer customers Aviatrix.

“We’ve long admired the fantastic work Vibra Solutions is doing in growing our industry across Latin America via innovative product development,” the Latin America Head of Business Development for Aviatrix, Gabriela Novello, said. “By working alongside it, we’re able to bring Aviatrix to more players in the region and together write a new chapter in this ongoing growth story.”

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“Our commitment to our operator partners is to provide the very best portfolio of games available,” the Chief Commercial Officer for Vibra Solutions, Federico Saini, said. “Some of those we build ourselves but others we onboard via partnerships like this. Aviatrix is one of the most talked about games in the industry at the moment and we couldn’t be happier to be able to offer it to online brands via our platform.”

Aviatrix’s has enjoyed considerable success in Latin America since it was launched a little over a year ago including being named Rising Star in Casino at the SBC Awards LatinoAmerica.

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