https://www.corrieredellacalabria.i...teressi-dei-clan-nel-settore-del-gaming/“lightning-blizzard”
'Ndrangheta, Papanice «like Corleone» and the clans' interests in the gaming sector
The investigation by the DDA reveals the intention to become involved in the illicit management of vending machines with revenues of "over 300 thousand euros per month"
Published: 03/30/2025 – 6:51
ISOLA CAPO RIZZUTO A turnover of over 300 thousand euros per month, the Papaniciari's domination and the intolerance of the gang. In the Folgore-Blizzard investigation, investigators reconstruct the interests of the Crotone clans in the gaming sector, a vast illegal network of slot machines managed by the 'ndrangheta and which would generate hundreds of thousands of euros on Isola Capo Rizzuto alone. The operation, which began on March 12, led to the arrest of 17 people, mostly linked to the Arena clan. Among those arrested, Antonio Bruno and Luigi Masciari stand out, the latter considered a reference figure for the gang in the North, but who would also have had an interest in entering the business around the Isola slot machines.
The “crossing of the borders” of the Papaniciari
In a conversation between Masciari and two other individuals in 2022, interest in the sector emerges in the territory of Isola Capo Rizzuto, where the Megna clan would however maintain its management. A vast network of illegal machines to be placed in bars and clubs, especially those that can be used with coins, thus leveraging gambling for which many people often fall into gambling addiction. The investigators note that there is " no small amount of intolerance " towards the Megnas, so much so that they complain about the fact that the "Christians were getting rich with the millions of euros on Isola". More explicitly, they underlined how the money from the machines was an income that benefited " the Papaniciari ", then quantifying the revenues " at 300-400 thousand euros per month ". The Papaniciari's "crossing the border", perhaps based on an agreement with the Arenas, was not well received by the interlocutors, who considered "the original agreements to divide up the slot machine sector no longer relevant". With a risky comparison to Sicily in the Cosa Nostra era, it was underlined how " Papanice was a sort of new Corleone , which was influencing Isola Capo Rizzuto in the same way as what happened to the city of Palermo".
Masciari's interest
After a certain period of time, Masciari would have further shown interest in gaming, underlining that «if he had found the platform he would have expelled everyone from the territory», then illustrating what the high profit could be. The machines would have been installed in bars linked to the gang, thus without bothering other groups, even if «today the others were committing abuses». For Masciari however «it was not appropriate to touch the Papaniciari, before directing attention towards the boss», while if someone had interfered in the business «he would have faced them with weapons». ( ma.ru. )
