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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.

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.

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Record-breaking volumes at the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, powered by OpenBet technology

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OpenBet, a global leader in betting and gaming technology, powered record-breaking volumes for World Sports Betting (WSB) during the 2026 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, processing more than three times WSB’s typical daily activity with zero downtime.

The Cape Town Met is one of South Africa’s premier horseracing events, drawing intense traffic that tests platform performance. Less than a year after migrating to OpenBet’s unified technology stack, WSB demonstrated the resilience and scalability of its platform under extreme demand.

OpenBet’s Player Account Management (PAM) technology and sportsbook solution — phased in with PAM going live in February 2025 and the sportsbook in October 2025 — now underpin WSB’s enterprise-grade wagering infrastructure across both digital and retail channels. The integrated system delivers streamlined KYC, a unified wallet, accurate reporting and a robust compliance framework designed for South Africa’s regulatory environment.

Enhanced features available to WSB customers include 50-leg accumulators, partially redeemable free bets, advanced Telebet telephone betting and integrated pools betting for sports and racing through OpenBet’s advanced trading system.

“With the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, we processed more than three times the usual volume with zero downtime, showcasing the strength and scalability of our technology,” said Runa Walia Desai, Chief Customer Experience Officer at OpenBet. “This milestone also extends our footprint into Africa, reinforcing our position across six continents.”

Warren Tannous, CEO of World Sports Betting, added that OpenBet’s modular solution gives the operator the confidence to expand its sportsbook offering and support increased user engagement while maintaining performance and compliance.

The post Record-breaking volumes at the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, powered by OpenBet technology appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Choice Gaming Launches Evra Crash in Exclusive Collaboration with Patrice Evra

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Choice Gaming has officially launched Evra Crash, a new multiplayer crash game developed in exclusive collaboration with football legend Patrice Evra.

The title blends high-energy crash mechanics with football culture, delivering a synchronized, shared-table experience designed to boost player engagement and social interaction.

A Football Icon Powers the Gameplay

At the center of Evra Crash is Patrice Evra, one of football’s most recognizable personalities. His presence adds authenticity and competitive intensity to the gameplay, reinforcing the game’s energetic, community-driven concept. The partnership between Choice Gaming and Evra aims to merge competitive spirit with immersive entertainment in the fast-growing crash gaming segment.

Multiplayer Crash Experience

Unlike traditional single-session crash games, Evra Crash is built around real-time shared rounds:

  • All players join the same round simultaneously
  • Fully networked multiplayer participation
  • Visible, synchronized gameplay across users

This structure creates a social crash environment where anticipation builds collectively, increasing engagement and enhancing the thrill of each round.

Game Features & Performance Metrics

Evra Crash offers a balanced gameplay structure designed for broad player appeal:

  • RTP: 95%
  • Maximum Multiplier: 10,000x
  • Volatility: Low

The low-volatility model provides consistent entertainment while maintaining the potential for high multipliers, positioning Evra Crash as an accessible yet exciting crash title in the iGaming market.

Cross-Platform Optimization

Built for seamless performance across environments, Evra Crash is:

  • Fully mobile-optimized
  • Compatible with land-based gaming solutions
  • Designed for consistent cross-platform gameplay

Whether accessed online or in physical gaming venues, players experience uninterrupted performance and smooth gameplay integration.

The post Choice Gaming Launches Evra Crash in Exclusive Collaboration with Patrice Evra appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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EARN YOUR PLACE AMONG THE BEST AS POKERSTARS REVEALS SCHEDULE FOR PRESTIGIOUS SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP OF ONLINE POKER

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More than $45 million guaranteed across 400 tournament opportunities for all players to earn their greatness

The full schedule for poker’s first major online series of the year, PokerStars prestigious Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP), has been unveiled featuring 136 events and more than $45 million guaranteed.

From March 1 to 25, players have the chance to earn their greatness once more and battle for an acclaimed SCOOP title across three weeks of elite online poker action. The 136-event schedule (with a total of 400 tournaments) offers low, medium, and high buy-in levels from $5.50 to $15,000, and a wide range of formats including No-Limit Hold’em, PLO, 8-Game, Mystery Bounties, Turbo, and Deep Stack events, making SCOOP accessible for everyone.

KEY SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

The flagship Main Events will be a schedule highlight and will award a total of $5.5 million across the NLHE Main Events on March 22, and $550,000 across the PLO Main Events on March 23.

  • $109 SCOOP NLHE Main Event Low – $1.5 million guaranteed
  • $1,050 SCOOP NLHE Main Event Med – $2 million guaranteed
  • $5,200 SCOOP NLHE Main Event High – $2 million guaranteed
  • 109 SCOOP PLO Main Event Low – $100,000 guaranteed
  • $1,050 SCOOP PLO Main Event Med – $200,000 guaranteed
  • $5,200 SCOOP PLO Main Event High – $250,000 guaranteed

Other highlights of the 18th edition of SCOOP include:

  • March 1 – $215 Sunday Million PKO – $1 million guaranteed
  • March 8 – $22 Mystery Sunday Special, $300,000 guaranteed – All-in Shoot Out for United Kingdom & Ireland players to award an Emerald Pass to the Irish Open on March 10 at 7am GMT
  • March 8 – $109 Sunday Million PKO – $1 million guaranteed
  • March 15 – $55 Mini Sunday Million PKO – $500,000 guaranteed – All-in Shoot Out for United Kingdom & Ireland players to award an Emerald Pass to the Irish Open on March 17 at 7am GMT
  • March 15 – $530 Sunday Million – $1 million guaranteed

As well as the huge prizes and trophies on offer, players can also compete in the SCOOP Leaderboards where an additional $100,000 in cash prizes will be awarded across the Low, Medium and High Player of the Series Leaderboards.

As ever, there are a number of qualification routes giving players the chance to qualify into SCOOP events for a fraction of the buy-in. Routes include satellites from just $0.55, the SCOOP Lucky Dip where $500,000 in SCOOP tickets are up for grabs and the $55 Power Path Express SCOOP Edition, on March 1st,where more than $200,000 in SCOOP Power Passes and Main Event tickets will be awarded to boost players’ grind to greatness. Finally, all players are still in time to crack open a SCOOP Prize Vault and earn a SCOOP ticket worth up to $1,050 upon opt-in.

“SCOOP is where greatness isn’t given, it’s earned. Every title represents weeks of preparation, relentless competition and beating the toughest fields in online poker. That’s what makes a SCOOP win so special,” said Steve Clarricoats, Associate Director of Poker Operations at PokerStars. “With a huge schedule and accessible buy-ins and formats, SCOOP remains the title every online player wants on their record.”

For 17 years, SCOOP has been appointment poker of the highest order and winning a SCOOP title has been a bucket list dream for poker players all over the world. More than $1.4 billion in prize pools have been awarded to players since SCOOP started in 2009, with some of the world’s best players earning coveted SCOOP trophies.

Sweden’s Simon “C. Darwin” Mattsson is the greatest player in SCOOP history having earned 14 titles, followed by fellow Swede Niklas “Lena900” Astedt and the UK’s Benny “RunGodlike” Glaser who both have 11 titles, with Benny being the most decorated player in COOP history also having a record-leading 16 WCOOP titles.

For more information about SCOOP head to the PokerStars website or PokerStars Blog.

 

The post EARN YOUR PLACE AMONG THE BEST AS POKERSTARS REVEALS SCHEDULE FOR PRESTIGIOUS SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP OF ONLINE POKER appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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