An illegal gambling crackdown in southern Italy has uncovered a betting operation tied to Malta.Authorities in the province of Reggio Calabria carried out a major joint operation targeting illegal betting and gambling, with Italy’s Financial Police working alongside the Customs and Monopolies Agency as reported by Press Giochi.The most serious case emerged in Bovalino, where officials discovered a betting shop operating entirely outside the law.The outlet was reportedly linked to a Maltese license holder but had no licence to operate in Italy. Investigators also found it lacked public safety permits, failed to display banned games, and was even using the name of a company that no longer exists.In a separate raid at a private club in Condofuri, officers uncovered illegal electronic gambling machines capable of paying out cash without authorisation. The devices were seized on the spot, with those responsible facing fines of up to €50,000, and possible closure of the premises.The suspects have now been reported to prosecutors in Reggio Calabria and Locri, with judicial authorities set to decide whether criminal charges will follow.With Malta’s name popping up in the investigation, the case is likely to draw extra attention, especially given ongoing scrutiny around cross-border betting operations.What do you make of this?•