Major Police Raid Hits Illegal Poker Club in Stockholm's Södermalm

A coordinated police operation swept through an illegal poker club in Södermalm, central Stockholm, late Friday night, targeting organized crime and illegal gambling. The raid, involving multiple law enforcement agencies including Spelinspektionen, Kronofogdemyndigheten, and Europol, formed part of a broader crackdown on economic offenses and money laundering linked to criminal networks.

At the time of the raid, approximately 80 people were present inside the club, known as Sen bar, renowned locally for hosting poker games. Traditional poker tables were found alongside indications of digital gambling activities. A special task force employed helicopters and drones to monitor the operation, which also included simultaneous raids at several other locations in Stockholm, leading to multiple arrests.

Police spokeswoman Rebecca Landberg confirmed the operation's focus on illegal gambling and organized crime but refrained from disclosing detailed results due to the sensitive nature of the investigation. Criminal Commissioner Gunnar Appelgren noted that the targeted poker club had been a hub of illegal gambling for years. Insatsledare Rickard Holz underscored the police's intent to disrupt the criminal economy, emphasizing that both legal and illegal operations are intertwined within organized crime, with money laundering being vital to their survival.

The investigation continues as authorities aim to gather evidence and further dismantle the financial structures enabling these criminal enterprises. This raid signals a sustained effort by Swedish police to clamp down on illegal gambling operations that underpin organized criminal activities in Stockholm.