Penza, 1 April 2013. PenzaNews. The police liquidated an illegal gambling club, set up in a wine boutique, located in the center of Penza, right on the opening day.

“The officers of the Department of Economic Security and Anti-Corruption of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Penza region received information that an illegal gambling club will be opened under the cover of a wine boutique in the center of the city. At the appointed time, a few dozens of people — the regular gamblers — gathered in front of the building. The police entered the club just five minutes after the first clients came in. 30 slot machines were found inside,” the press service of the regional department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs told news agency “PenzaNews.”

The ministry clarified that, according to the most part of the clients, they knew nothing about the slot machines, and came there for wine, however they had invitations specifying time and place of the club opening.

“The manager of the club explained that the information about the regular customers was taken from a database created a few years ago. The organizers of the club called everyone who was in the list, including those marked as “recovered from gambling addiction,” the department added.

The press service noted that the legal decision on this fact would be made after the examination of confiscated slot machines.