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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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CopyBet extends Front of Shirt partnership with Queens Park Rangers Football Club

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CopyBet has extended its deal as Front of Shirt Partner of Queens Park Rangers Football Club, continuing the successful collaboration for the 2025/26 season.

The renewed agreement reinforces CopyBet’s position as the club’s primary partner, and enables the fantastic relationship to continue to grow. CopyBet’s logo will adorn the front of the Men’s First Team shirts, and all adult retail shirts.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Queens Park Rangers as the club’s Official Front of Shirt Partner for the upcoming season, reflecting our ongoing commitment to supporting the Club and the exciting journey ahead. We look forward to another memorable season together, both on and off the pitch,” stated Anton Ivanov, Business Development Director, CopyBet UK.

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The relationship, which started in July 2022, has seen CopyBet begin as the Club’s Back of Shirt Sponsor, before moving to the Front of Shirt position for the 2024/25 season, with a memorable debut in our 4-0 home win against Leeds in April 2024.

QPR Commercial Director Euan Inglis added: “CopyBet have been a fantastic partner over the last three seasons, Anton and the whole team are a pleasure to work with. The Club are delighted that CopyBet have exercised their option to extend their partnership with the Club for another season.”

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€3.8 Billion Tax Contribution from EGBA Members to European Economy Revealed in 2024 Report

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Members of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) contributed €3.8 billion in taxes to the European economy in 2024 and achieved record progress in safer gambling and social responsibility, according to the association’s fifth annual sustainability report published today. The report reveals that EGBA members sent 100 million safety messages to their European customers in 2024 – a 48% year-on-year increase – and 69% of their customers, or 26.7 million of them, use safety tools, with half doing so voluntarily.

The Sustainability Report 2025 outlines the collective efforts of EGBA members to contribute positively to European society through safer gambling, social investment, and responsible business practices. It presents data on customer demographics, use of safety tools, investments in sports and society, employment and diversity, and environmental performance. The report covers the online operations of EGBA members in the EU and UK and tracks their year-on-year progress.

“This year’s report shows our members are not only positive contributors to Europe’s economy but also setting industry benchmarks for safer gambling,” said Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA“We’re especially encouraged by the success of personalised safety messages, which our report shows to be positively impacting between 42% to 46% of customers showing high-risk behaviours. That’s genuinely meaningful progress that builds trust and helps raise standards across the wider industry.”

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“Our members are showing that leadership in our industry is about more than commercial success – it’s about protecting players, supporting communities, and investing in Europe’s future,” Haijer added“But sustaining these achievements requires stable and supportive regulatory frameworks and stronger enforcement against black market operators based outside Europe, who threaten the safety of European citizens and contribute nothing to our societies. The regulated industry makes substantial investments, but we need a longer-term policy vision in some national markets.”

EGBA and its members are committed to fostering a strong culture of social responsibility while evolving to meet rising societal expectations. Through their shared commitment to sustainability, our members continue to demonstrate that safer gambling and business success go hand in hand.

Key sustainability highlights from EGBA members (2024)

Social Contributions

  • €3.8 billion contributed in taxes to European economies, including corporate and gaming taxes, providing funding for public services and community initiatives.
  • €735 million invested in European sports through sponsorships, fees, and streaming rights payments – with streaming rights accounting for the largest share (62%).
  • €156.8 million donated to charities and community initiatives across Europe, representing a 4% yearly increase.

Promotion of Safer Gambling

  • A record 100 million messages were sent to customers to promote safer gambling, a 48% year-on-year increase. 28% of these messages were personalised, based on a customer’s individual playing behaviour, and were primarily delivered to customers via pop-ups (67%) and email (25%).
  • Personalised messages had positive impacts on 42-46% of customers with high-risk behaviours, with customers either improving their play or maintaining stable patterns following targeted messages. 21% of these customers also activated or strengthened safety tools following personalised messages.
  • 89% of all employees received safer gambling training – accounting for over 55,000 employees across online and land-based operations (up from 80% in 2023).
  • €148.9 million contributed to research, education, and treatment (RET) services to support gambling harm prevention in Europe, making it €290 million in RET contributions in the past 5 years.

Safer Gambling Tools

  • 69% of all customers used safety tools – representing a record 26.7 million players (a 28% yearly increase). Half of these, 13.2 million customers, used tools voluntarily.
  • Deposit limits remained the most popular tool, used by 65% of customers who use tools voluntarily.

Customers

  • 38.6 million customer accounts, representing a 19% year-on-year increase.
  • 75% of customers were male (up from 72% in 2023), while 25% of customers were female (down from 28%).
  • 15.9 million customer service interactions, a 10% yearly increase, with the most popular topic being offers/bonuses (18%).

Employment and Diversity

  • 62,698 total employees across both land-based and online operations, with 57% male and 43% female employees.

Energy and Environment

  • Total energy consumption decreased by 11% to 190.2 gigawatt hours (GWh), covering both land-based and online operations. 78% of energy use was sourced from renewables, an increase from 64% in 2023.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions were 1.15 million tonnes CO2e, with value chain emissions (Scope 3) accounting for 95% of the total. 

 

Source: EGBA

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Independent evaluation highlights impact of Ygam’s parent programme

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An independent evaluation has provided compelling evidence that Ygam’s work is effectively equipping families with the tools and knowledge to safeguard children from gaming and gambling harms.

The evaluation report, conducted by Sherbert Research, examined Ygam’s programme tailored for parents and carers, which includes online workshops, resources, and the Family Hub website.

The evaluation, assessed against Ygam’s comprehensive Theory of Change, found ‘strong evidence across all groups’ of increased understanding of gaming and gambling harms and their impact on behaviour change and the wellbeing of children and young people. It also highlighted that parents regard Ygam as a trusted source of support and information on these subjects.

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After attending a Ygam workshop, parents expressed a deeper understanding of their role in supporting children and young people on these issues. The workshops were credited with reducing stigma around gaming and gambling harms and encouraging greater engagement from families. Many parents reported proactively understanding the risks and feeling empowered to start conversations with their children about gaming and gambling, putting boundaries in place before harm occurs.

While parents and professionals are increasingly aware of the risks associated with gaming, fewer recognise children’s potential exposure to gambling and gambling-like features, along with the related harms. The report reinforces that Ygam’s work plays a vital role in closing this critical knowledge gap through awareness raising, offering effective safeguarding tools, and providing the guidance and support required to create a safer digital home environment.

The programme was also commended for shifting perceptions around video gaming and microtransactions. They described taking immediate proactive steps such as adjusting screen time, understanding app spending, and setting clearer rules around their child’s online habits.

One parent who took part in the evaluation said: “After the session, I checked my son’s gaming account and realised he had spent over £200 on in-game purchases. We talked about it, and I’ve now set up parental controls.”

The high quality and standard of Ygam’s educational content was also praised by parents, with many describing it as ‘one of the best’ workshops they had attended for addressing a topical and complex issue, and for delivering accessible knowledge that supports real-life action.

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Another parent said: ” A friend mentioned Ygam after I shared concerns about my son’s gaming habits. She had been on the course and said it had really helped her understand how to manage screen time”.

Claire Patel, Programme Lead for the Parents and Carers programme at Ygam, said: “We welcome the findings of this evaluation, which highlight the widespread and meaningful difference our programme is making for families. Parents and carers know their children better than anyone, and they have a crucial role to play – but they consistently tell us they often feel under-informed in today’s fast-moving digital world. We remain committed to listening to families and providing the information and tools they need to promote healthy habits and safeguard their children from potential harms.”

The evaluation was informed by interviews and video diaries from parents, foster carers, and professionals who attended Ygam workshops between 2023 and 2024.

All recommendations for improvement will be incorporated into the ongoing review and development of Ygam’s programmes to ensure they remain as effective and impactful as possible.

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