They organized clandestine poker games in an apartment in Pantin (Seine-Saint-Denis): the two managers of the gambling den were sentenced Tuesday to 18 months and two years in prison by the Bobigny criminal court.
The court did not take into account the aggravating circumstance of an offense committed by an organized gang and handed down sentences slightly lower than the two years of suspended imprisonment required during the hearing held on February 5.
The two men were also acquitted for credit operations because
“the loans (granted to certain players) were not established for consideration”
, according to the conclusions of the judgment.
Rolex watches, placed under seal, were confiscated and the two men were fined 30,000 euros and 40,000 euros, the heaviest fine falling on the owner of the accommodation where the games circle was held.
While the prosecutor requested the confiscation of this apartment, the court ruled for a simple confiscation of real estate in the amount of 50,000 euros, i.e. the estimated amount of winnings received by each of the co-organizers of the clandestine games.
Hidden work
From July 2022 to March 2023, groups of around eight people gathered to play poker twice a week.
According to players, the circle had existed for seven years, with sustained activity during confinements.
On the accounts of the owner of the apartment, transfers of more than 110,000 euros had been made by 39 people since 2019, the prosecutor noted.
The transfers are only a
“tiny part of the sums involved in this gambling circle”
, he estimated.
On Thursday, the 49-year-old man was found guilty of concealed employment for the employment of three waitresses who provided drinks and food at the games.
Three months of suspended prison time and a fine of 1000 euros were required against those for whom the players paid around 150 euros in chips: they were only ordered to pay the fine.
“This decision is paradoxical because it recognizes that my client is the victim of hidden work but, at the same time, judges her guilty of having participated in the holding of these clandestine games,”
lamented Me Mamlouk, counsel for one of the three waitresses, the only lawyer to appear Tuesday at the reading of the deliberations.
Prosecuted for credit transaction and failure to prove resources, the wife of the owner of the apartment was acquitted.