In a case going back four years, a man accused of taking part in running an illegal casino has had his prison sentence increased by the Supreme Court of Iceland.
RÚV reports that the man was originally sentenced to 15 months, 12 of them probational, by the District Court. The Supreme Court ruled that, as his participation in running the casino was more substantial than his partners, his sentence would be increased to 18 months, 15 of them probational.
As reported, four were found guilty of having engaged in professional gambling and money laundering that generated some 170 million ISK in profits, culminating in a police raid on the establishment in question.
As such, all four arrested suspects in the casino ring received prison time. One man was sentenced to 12 months in prison, nine of which are probational, while the other man and the woman were each sentenced to nine months in prison, six of which are probational. They were also sentenced to pay the legal fees for their defense.
Witnesses testified that the casino’s winnings went to the owners and staff. While the defendants contended that the casino was merely a “social club”, data collected showed that money from debit card machines at the location went directly into the pockets of the accused.
Eight were initially arrested in a police raid on the casino in December 2012. Some 550,000 ISK in cash was found on the scene, some of it stashed in a freezer.
Professional gambling is illegal in Iceland, and although attempts have been made to legalise it, the public remains decidedly against the idea.
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