Police in Thessaloniki have arrested 20 people over an alleged gambling ring that rigged games at internet cafés using special software. Hellenic Police Northern Greece Organised Crime Sub-directorate officers, with forensic investigators, dismantled the network in Thessaloniki and Kavala, investigators said. Police estimate illegal gains at more than €1 million and built a case against 14 more people. Of those arrested, 18 were alleged members of the Thessaloniki gambling ring, including its leaders. The other two were players. Police said the ring ran premises licensed as food and drink outlets, mostly internet cafés. The games of chance allegedly relied on special software that allowed the leaders to set payouts and pick which players would win, bypassing any random mechanism. To avoid detection, cafés allegedly kept a separate room with controlled entry and lookouts standing watch. Staff could also allegedly press a panic button that changed what appeared on the computer screens when police were spotted. Investigators said a hierarchical structure had distinct roles. Two leading members, aged 55 and 51, allegedly coordinated operations. The 55-year-old was accused of deciding how the shops ran, who joined, what each person did, and managing profits while monitoring staff via CCTV. A 68-year-old deputy was accused of running staff and cash flow, including daily takings, and providing technical support. Police also alleged a 51-year-old woman’s bank accounts helped move and hide money. Another deputy, aged 40, was accused of running the software remotely, training staff, and, on the leader’s orders, selecting winning players. Some members were also accused of posing as owners of companies behind the cafés to hide the real operators and avoid tax and employer contributions. Officers said investigators traced activity back to at least 2013. Searches of homes, shops and vehicles turned up €61,460 and US$700 in cash, 11 gold sovereigns, jewellery, and four cars. Police seized 28 mobile phones, 61 computer units, 21 cameras, 22 hard drives, and handwritten notes. Following the arrests, the suspects were brought before the prosecutor. Two players were released on an oral order.