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Slovakia cracks down illegal gambling
Slovakia’s Financial Administration has carried out the biggest illegal gambling crackdown ever in the country.
The process resulted in the seizing of five so-called quiz machines seised and 75 gaming machines. Subsequently, tax officers confiscated the accounting documents of 14 companies that ran the businesses.
The combing operation was held last month on June 28–29. In the move, 180 comptrollers and custom officers combed approximately 100 gambling facilities across Slovakia.
“It wasn’t an easy action,” said Ľudovít Makó, head of the Financial Administration’s criminal department, as quoted in a press release.
First, the comptrollers had to visit the facilities and try the machines to ascertain whether their use could be deemed as gambling or not.
“In some facilities the gambling machine was turned off during the investigation, while in the others there were missing internet connections and power supplies,” Makó added.
Customs officers subsequently sealed dozens of facilities, while others were secured for further analysis. The Financial Administration will continue with the inspections.
Quiz machines will be checked
Playing the quiz machines is also considered to be a form of gambling as the players need to answer a simple question, according to Imrecze. However, to prove that they are gambling machines the Financial Administration sent them to the Technical Testing Institute for examination.
If it is proven that the quiz machines were used for gambling, the Financial Administration will adopt further steps. The operators of the machines and the facilities where they are placed would be faced with high fines, the SITA newswire reported.
Moreover, there is a suspicion that the operators did not prevent people under the age of 18 or those drawing material need benefits from gambling.
In addition, the quiz machines often have servers situated outside Slovakia. The law on gambling, however, stipulates that the servers need to be located in Slovakia.
Currently, there are about 800 quiz machines. Most are registered in Bratislava, Trnava and Žilina Regions, Makó said, as reported by SITA.
Accounting seised
As part of the operation, the Financial Administration confiscated the accounting books for 2017 and 2018 of four companies operating the quiz machines and the accounting books from 2018 of companies that run the facilities where the machines were located.
Tax officers will now check whether the documents correspond with the data from the servers of the quiz machines’ operators and whether they tried to evade paying VAT and corporate income taxes.
If the Financial Administration reveals any flaws, the operators would face criminal consequences, SITA reported.
More fines issued
The number of fines for gambling operators who violate the law, as well as their amount, increased in 2017 compared with the previous years.
A total of 210 fines amounting to €378,660 in total were imposed in 2017, which is 153 more than in 2016 and 200 more than the year before. As for the amount, the sum increased by €13,680 (or 3.75 per cent) in 2017 compared with 2016, and by €245,460 (or 184 per cent) compared with 2015, the TASR newswire reported.
“We welcome the fact that the state has the ambition to fight illegal gambling but we have to realise that it cannot erase the legal concerns,” said Dominika Lukáčová, spokesperson for the Association of Entertainment and Gambling, as quoted by TASR.
She continued, saying that the illegal market is a result of excessive regulation and prohibition, with the criminal groups one step ahead of the comptrollers. They can even erase the software used in the machines from a distance to avoid fines.
However, legal gambling operators in Slovakia have never used such practices, Lukáčová added.
Source: spectator.sme.sk
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The post Quick Custom Intelligence and Modulus Celebrate Success at ICE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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TEAM VITALITY PRESENTS ITS NEW ROSTER VALORANT THROUGH THE LEGACY CAMPAIGN
- After achieving an exceptional end to the 2023-2024 season, Team Vitality returns with strong European and International ambitions.
- Since the start of the season, two superstars have joined the ranks of the Team Vitality roster: Derke and Less, alongside Sayf (IGL), Kicks and Trexx. The club’s new ambassador: Ardiis, will cast their matches all year round. With this team, the goal is simple but audacious: lay the foundations for a new legacy, make history on this new stage and qualify for the VALORANT Champions.
- Thus, Team Vitality is preparing to write a brand new FPS game story supported by the LEGACY campaign. And its first Ice & Fire chapter begins today!
Team Vitality proudly presents its VALORANT roster for the 2025 season. After securing a second European place and qualification for the VALORANT Champions 2024 at the end of last season, the team will endeavour to maintain its high standards and continue to shine on the European (VCT) and international scene. The first key meeting for this team is at the VALORANT Bangkok Masters 2025 on February 27th.
With a combination of youth, talent and experience, Team Vitality is proud to welcome two new international talents to the roster, with an already established track record in the game: Finnish-Russian Derke, the Brazilian powerhouse Less, and a new coaching staff.
A FIVE STAR ROSTER TO CONQUER THE WORLD
Team Vitality returns more determined than ever to the VALORANT scene. With two new players joining Kicks, trexx and Sayf (IGL and Team Captain), hoping to win a VCT title. In addition to this brand new roster, Team Vitality also integrates a new experienced coaching staff with the arrival of Faded.
New players and coaching staff
- Nikita “Derke” Sirmation (Finnish-Russian) – 21 years old: Former Counter-Strike player who switched to VALORANT. Considered one of the top three duelists of all time, Derke is known for his exceptional skills and decisive impact during matches and dominated the VCT:2023 LOCK//IN and the VCT Masters Tokyo in the same year – a feat never achieved before. With his international experience, Derke is ready to bring his strategic vision and talent to the team.
- Felipe “Less” Basso (Brazilian) – 19 years old: A true VALORANT prodigy, Less quickly gained attention with his excellent mechanics and superhuman reflexes. At the age of 17, he won the VALORANT Champions in 2022 and the VCT Americas League in 2023 and is considered one of the best players in his role as Sentinel.
- Daniel “Faded” Hwang (American) – 30 years as Head Coach: Faded has already coached within the TSM organisation and qualified for Ascension Finals in Mexico – all in his first year as a head coach! He has proven himself capable of developing talent and achieving exceptional results.
The new 2025 roster now stands as:
- Kimmie “Kicks” Lassner
- Saif “Sayf” Jibraeel (IGL)
- Nikita “trexx” Cherednichenko
- Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev
- Felipe “Less” Basso
For this new season, the talented Sayf has taken on the key role of IGL within the team. Elected duelist of the 2024 season in VCT, Sayf will have the important task of leading his team to victory.
With the arrival of two additional superstars to the team, Team Vitality sends a strong message: VALORANT is a priority for the club. While the VALORANT Champions will take place in Paris, the club’s homeland, Team Vitality hopes to make an impression at home.
“VALORANT is a vital scene for us. We were keen to strengthen the existing team with even more experienced profiles as we seek performance and aim for excellence. And this season is special: we hope to be able to defend our chances of victory at home, in Paris.” explains Fabien “Neo” Devide, President and co-founder of Team Vitality.
LEGACY CAMPAIGN: AN ICE & FIRE ROSTER [CHAPTER 1]
Team Vitality is embarking on this new season with a clear and unwavering ambition: to write a new legacy on a key FPS game and shine at the VALORANT Paris Champions. To support this, Team Vitality is launching LEGACY, a campaign that will follow the team in three key chapters until the Champions next September.
https://x.com/TeamVitalityVAL/status/1879931306143887621
The first chapter of this campaign begins at the Bangkok Masters on February 27th and will notably feature the two new stars of the team. The campaign will play on the elements of the roster: Derke, a Finnish player, known for his exemplary composure, embodies serenity and concentration. Less, a Brazilian player, with an explosive style of play, flamboyant actions and an energy capable of igniting his teammates. Together, they symbolise a complementarity of qualities essential for the roster’s goal of reaching the top.
VCT BUNDLE VITALITY: PLAY LIKE LESS OR DERKE!
Team Vitality is proud to announce that its official VCT bundle is now available for purchase via the in-game shop. These exclusive bundles embody the club’s unique identity and allow fans to proudly wear Hive’s colours, while supporting the team in its quest for glory on the VALORANT scene.
Each piece has been carefully designed to reflect Team Vitality’s competitive spirit and boundless ambition.
https://x.com/TeamVitalityVAL/status/1876293118762315799
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The post TEAM VITALITY PRESENTS ITS NEW ROSTER VALORANT THROUGH THE LEGACY CAMPAIGN appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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