Clandestine bingo hall in Brazil resumes operations one month after shutdown

Authorities in Campinas, São Paulo, have once again shut down an illegal bingo operation less than two months after its last closure. 

The raid took place at a property in the neighborhood Vila Itapura, the same location previously targeted by police in late September.

Officers found 55 slot machines operating inside the venue, which was disguised with Pink October decorations supporting breast cancer awareness. 

Despite the façade, the space functioned as a gambling site, with three employees managing the machines and five bettors present when officers arrived.

According to police, the hall featured a surveillance system with security cameras monitoring the entrance and exit of players. 

The team removed the devices used to insert cash into machines and destroyed them on-site to prevent the equipment from being reused. 

The case was referred to the Civil Police for further investigation.

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The incident underscores Brazil’s ongoing challenge in curbing illegal operations that resurface shortly after being dismantled. 

Local law enforcement has repeatedly flagged the use of disguised storefronts and rapid reactivation of equipment as common tactics to evade authorities.

Recent enforcement efforts across the country have also targeted similar illicit betting schemes. Earlier this month, a social media influencer was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison for running illegal raffles worth BR20m ($3.72m).

Mark Sullivan

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