Finance Secretary of State Marco Gatti addresses the investigation that has engulfed Giochi del Titano, centered on an alleged money laundering scheme worth nearly €7.5 million carried out through slot machines. Gatti repeatedly stresses that the matter must be approached with patience in order to obtain the full picture: the investigation remains open, and it falls to the judiciary to establish any responsibilities and roles involved.
Secretary, this case is generating a great deal of discussion. What is the government’s position at this point?
“It’s difficult to say much more, because the investigation is still ongoing and the information available is inevitably partial. What we know is essentially what has already emerged in the press, supplemented by the State Congress’s press release. The Board of Directors acted immediately to ensure full cooperation with the judiciary while also safeguarding the continuity of Giochi del Titano’s operations. There is understandably a tense atmosphere right now, but our main task is to make sure the company’s activities are not disrupted. The Board has already taken steps toward reorganization, as we were informed in recent days. Now we must wait for the results and findings of the investigation.”
One of the key questions concerns the controls themselves. How could an alleged scheme of this kind have continued without being stopped earlier?
“Giochi del Titano’s procedures are robust, even when compared with similar operations in other countries. What seems to emerge from an initial reconstruction of events is that someone within the organization may have facilitated the fraud from the inside. The question now is who, how, and why.”
So, in your view, the problem may not lie with the control system itself, but rather with possible internal complicity?
“We will also review the procedures, but based on what is known so far, it appears there may have been complicity aimed at favoring a ‘client’ of Giochi del Titano. I say ‘appears’ because these aspects are currently being examined by the judiciary, which has all the tools necessary to do so. But before we can speak with certainty, we need more information and, above all, we must wait for the investigation to be completed.”
The investigation also shows that other warning signs, external to Giochi del Titano, were triggered. Did the Sammarinese system as a whole work as it should?
“Yes, as has happened on other occasions, suspicious transaction reporting has improved considerably in recent years, enabling the relevant authorities to carry out their role effectively.”
Do you therefore consider Giochi del Titano’s internal safeguards and procedures to be adequate?
“Giochi del Titano has been subject to inspections by the competent bodies, including checks on the organization’s structure and all its safeguards, and as far as we know there were no serious shortcomings in terms of procedures — quite the opposite.”
The investigation involves the general manager and other employees. Has the government already formed a view on where responsibility lies?
“No, we don’t have enough information yet; we need to wait. At this stage it’s difficult to comment even on the individuals under investigation. Once the investigation gives us the complete picture, we will be able to speak to what actually happened. Until then, it is not possible to draw conclusions.”
Could this affair have repercussions for Giochi del Titano, which remains an important source of revenue for state coffers?
“Giochi del Titano is an important resource for the State and for the employees who work there. That is precisely why we must ensure the continuity of its operations. The Board of Directors acted swiftly in reorganizing roles, precisely to guarantee that the company’s activities are not disrupted and, at the same time, that full cooperation with the judiciary is ensured.”
Tomorrow, Motus Liberi, Repubblica Futura and Rete have requested an urgent briefing from the State Congress. Is the government ready to report?
“At this point, the information available to the government is essentially the same as what has already appeared in the press. We have no further details beyond what has already become public. In any case, the State Congress will meet on Tuesday and the matter will naturally be addressed. I would note, however, that the opposition has its own representatives on the Board of Directors and the Board of Auditors, who, by virtue of their role, certainly have more information than the government itself.”
