Forty-four members of the Camorra Mafia gang were arrested and €22m in gaming machines were seized in a series of police raids in Italy, it has been reported.

A dedicated anti-Mafia unit in the Italian police focused on the Russo clan, part of the Casalesi syndicate within the Camorra, the Naples-based branch of the Mafia, said the ANSA news agency.

The gang was alleged to have monopolised the industry in supplying gambling machines to bars and cafes in the Caserta and Naples region. In all, over 3,000 machines were seized in the operation and the individuals arrested were from five companies controlled by the Camorra.