UK Based Bookie Closed Amidst Mafia Charges

25th December, 2009

UK Based Bookie Closed Amidst Mafia Charges

A UK bookie has been ordered to cease trading after a three year Italian Police investigation amid allegations of being heavily linked to the mafia.

ParadiseBet.it, an Italian focused bookmaker based out of Hounslow in the UK, recently had it's assets frozen by authorities in Italy, following an ongoing police investigation which saw more than 70 arrests in the region of Puglia.

Following the news, the UK Gambling Commission was quick to revoke the operators license for online betting, pending a review of their business and further news on the Italian investigation.

A Commission spokesman said of the situation...

'The Gambling Commission can confirm that it has commenced a review under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005 and has decided to suspend Operating Licence No 3371 (Paradise Bet Limited) whilst that review takes place.'

'The suspension is part of an ongoing Commission investigation. It is an interim measure, the need for which will be kept under review whilst the investigation takes place. The Commission will make no further comment until the investigation is complete.'

In a charge sheet straight from a script of the Godfather movies, ParadiseBet.it alledgedly was involved in attempted murder, drug trafficking, loan-sharking, money-laundering and the bribery of state officials - amongst others.

Hounslow-based Paradise Bet was granted a casino and general betting licence in April of 2007 and lists Bari as the site of its operating office for ParadiseBet.it.