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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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BETBY

BETBY launches fully priced World Cup bracket as part of tournament offering

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BETBY, the leading Tier 1 sportsbook provider, has announced the launch of its comprehensive World Cup offering, led by one of the most distinctive advantages currently available to operators: odds on the entire World Cup bracket already available, before the official draw takes place.

Released exactly one month before the opening match, BETBY’s World Cup package gives operators a crucial head start, enabling them to activate campaigns and capture player interest well ahead of kickoff.

The offering also provides operators with an additional marketing tool to drive engagement and maximise player interaction in the lead-up to the tournament.

By providing a fully pre-priced tournament structure across all potential matchups, BETBY allows operators to offer betting markets from the group stage through to the final from day one.

This early availability extends the betting lifecycle significantly, giving players the opportunity to engage with the full tournament narrative in advance and driving sustained activity throughout the build-up to kickoff.

To further enhance engagement during the tournament, BETBY is introducing microbetting for the World Cup, enabling wagers on events occurring within one-minute intervals throughout each match. With at least 90 intervals per game, players can bet on outcomes such as throw-ins, fouls, corners, offsides, goals, and goal kicks.

This real-time, high-frequency betting format transforms the viewing experience into a continuous stream of opportunities, keeping users actively engaged from kickoff to the final whistle while increasing interaction levels, boosting ARPU, and strengthening retention.

Complementing this is BETBY’s eWorld Cup, an esports experience that replicates all tournament matches in a short-format, high-frequency environment.

With matches lasting just a few minutes, the e-sim ensures continuous football action, helping operators fill off-peak gaps and overcome time zone challenges while maintaining consistent user engagement.

The product is fully customizable, allowing operators to tailor visuals, teams, match configurations, and margins to align with their brand and commercial strategy.

BETBY’s World Cup offering is further supported by a dedicated tournament hub, designed to centralize all content, data, and betting opportunities within a single interface.

Users can explore group stages and full bracket progression, access event pages, view promotions and line banners, watch video content, and analyze detailed statistics, creating a more immersive and informed betting experience.

The package includes boosted odds across all World Cup events, daily featured offers, and a wide selection of prebuilt “hot” combos with enhanced pricing, giving operators the flexibility to engage a broad player base, from high-value users to casual bettors.

Operators also benefit from one of the most extensive market coverages in the industry, spanning main markets, outrights, props, and special bets, supported by a trading team ready to accommodate bespoke requests.

By combining early market availability, real-time engagement tools, continuous betting opportunities, and deep trading flexibility, BETBY delivers a complete solution designed to maximize operator performance throughout the World Cup.

“As the biggest sports event worldwide, the World Cup is as much about preparation as it is about execution,” said Chris Nikolopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at BETBY.

“By being the first B2B sportsbook provider to make the full tournament bracket available ahead of the draw, we’re giving operators a clear advantage: the ability to start engaging players earlier and build momentum well before kickoff.

At the same time, other features like microbetting and our eWorld Cup ensure that engagement stays high throughout every stage of the competition.

We’re delivering a complete content portfolio that allows our partners to maximize both player activity and revenue across the entire World Cup cycle.”

BETBY

BETBY is a leading B2B provider of top-tier sports betting services, renowned for its groundbreaking technology and dedication to excellence. BETBY’s team of industry veterans tap into their knowledge and expertise to deliver a premium, adaptable, and scalable sportsbook platform tailored to meet the varied demands of operators across the globe.

From dynamic in-play betting options to robust risk management tools and ground-breaking AI tools, BETBY is committed to propelling the success of its partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of online sports betting.

For more information visit betby.com

The post BETBY launches fully priced World Cup bracket as part of tournament offering appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Almir Ribeiro

BetMGM Brazil hires veteran journalist to lead government relations

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BetMGM Brasil has appointed Fernando Vieira de Mello, a journalist with more than 30 years of experience across media, journalism and entertainment, to strengthen its government relations strategy in the country.

The hire comes as Brazil’s regulated betting market enters a phase of consolidation and maturity.

Vieira de Mello is widely recognised in Brazil’s communications market for his career at Grupo Globo, TV Bandeirantes, Rádio Bandeirantes and TV Cultura, where he held roles as reporter, anchor, journalism director and institutional relations executive.

Most recently, he served as director of institutional relations for São Paulo at Grupo Globo, building dialogue with market segments and regulatory bodies across the Brazilian ecosystem.

“Fernando brings a rare combination of experience in communications, management, institutional relations and a deep understanding of Brazil’s media ecosystem,” said Almir Ribeiro, CEO of BetMGM Brasil.

“His arrival further strengthens our long-term vision for the country.”

Vieira de Mello pointed to the scale of the opportunity ahead.

“Few sectors in Brazil will go through such an intense process of transformation and reputation building over the coming years as online betting.

BetMGM enters this moment with very solid attributes: an operation backed by two global groups of enormous credibility, exclusive focus on regulated markets and a clear long-term vision for Brazil.”

The appointment reflects BetMGM’s broader effort to deepen engagement with strategic stakeholders and advance its governance, responsibility and sustainable market-building agenda in Brazil.

BetMGM Brasil

Launched in January 2025, BetMGM Brasil is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Grupo Globo. Headquartered in São Paulo, the company was among the first 14 operators to receive definitive authorisation to operate in Brazil’s regulated betting market.

Beyond Brazil, BetMGM offers online gaming and betting platforms in 29 regulated US states and across Europe.

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2026 FIFA World Cup

Esportes da Sorte launches “Convoque” campaign for the World Cup

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The brand transforms its iconic blue hat into a narrative asset, bringing together creators, music and football in a multiplatform film ahead of the tournament

Esportes da Sorte has launched “Convoque,” a campaign designed to strengthen the brand’s connection to the World Cup through a language that blends entertainment, pop culture and football.

The campaign transforms the platform’s already recognisable blue hat into a central narrative element, using it as a “portal” between everyday life and a playful universe inspired by the brand experience.

The move marks a strategic effort by Esportes da Sorte to consolidate its presence in the sports betting space during the tournament while maintaining the entertainment identity that has defined its communications.

The lead film features the iconic blue hat alongside influencers and personalities from music, digital culture and sport, including Léo Santana, Jojo Todynho, Cerol, Duda Gutierrez, Marcelinho Carioca, Luizinho Freitas and Bruno Formiga.

The campaign

A sequel to the first film is set to launch at the end of May. In the narrative, an ordinary character leaves a street football match and finds the blue hat glowing on the ground.

When he puts it on, he is transported to a match “outside of reality,” in an environment that combines references from football, casino and digital culture.

The script uses humour, visual exaggeration and fantasy elements to build a brand journey connected to the world of gaming and responsible entertainment.

“The campaign reinforces our strategy for the World Cup: expanding the brand’s presence in the sports territory without losing the fun and entertainment DNA already recognised by our audience,” said Marcela Campos, vice president of Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil, which owns the Esportes da Sorte, Onabet and Lottu brands.

“The blue hat moves beyond being a visual element and becomes a narrative asset that connects different universes of the brand experience.”

Created by agency Brenda and produced by Nocandy, the campaign takes a multiplatform approach, with distribution across TV, out-of-home, YouTube and social media, as well as activations planned throughout the tournament.

The strategy reflects the intensifying competition for attention among brands in the sector during the most significant sporting event in the global calendar.

The film closes with responsible gambling messaging, aligning the campaign with the group’s institutional positioning around user protection practices and responsible communication in the regulated market.

Esportes da Sorte

Esportes da Sorte is one of Brazil’s leading sports betting platforms, operating under a licence granted by the Ministry of Finance to Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group that also owns the Onabet and Lottu brands.

The company is certified as a Great Place to Work and generates around one thousand direct and indirect jobs. It holds strategic partnerships with institutions including ANJL, IBIA, Sportradar, EBAC and IAA. Beyond sports betting, the group sponsors clubs including Corinthians, Ceará, Ferroviária and Náutico, and supports cultural initiatives including the Galo da Madrugada and carnival celebrations across multiple Brazilian cities.

The post Esportes da Sorte launches “Convoque” campaign for the World Cup appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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