No Christmas spirit for online gamblers in Cyprus

The Cyprus Mail reports that police across the Mediterranean island will step up anti-online gambling activity over the festive season.

Police spokesman Andreas Angelides told the newspaper that the police would intensify anti-gambling campaigns during the Christmas holiday season when leisurely Cypriots like to gamble.

“There is a specific roadmap and plan,” Angelides said, referring to efforts to enforce recent legislation rendering online gambling illegal.

Police are also acting against live gambling, and searched eleven betting shops across the island during the weekend, confiscating computers, printers and cash. 17 people were arrested at a betting shop in Larnaca where they were caught playing poker with money, and everyone present, whose ages ranged from 23 to 50, were charged. Cash and equipment were seized.

The 23-year-old betting shop supervisor was also charged for taking football bets without a licence.

As of July 2012, police have inspected 85 premises, confiscated around Euro 19 000 along with 100 computers, 65 printers and laid charges against 103 people, police said.

Between December 10 this year and January 13 next year, police will follow leads checking premises where gambling is thought to take place, Angelides said.

This includes homes and traditional coffee shops and clubs.