An Israeli businessman known as “the King of Slots” caused shockwaves through Prague when his death on Wednesday, June 3 was unexpected and seemingly without motive. Czech police announced on Friday, June 5, that a suspect has been detained in relation to this killing but have provided few further details as of yet.
Tony Bargig was charged in Israel with operating an illegal casino network and his body was found dead in Prague’s Zizkov district shortly thereafter. Authorities quickly initiated an investigation for possible murder upon discovering Bargig’s body and quickly began their own probe following his discovery.
While Israeli media reports asserted that Bargig owned multiple gambling businesses in Prague where he resided for many years, no specific casinos could be identified or any clear links established to gambling interests via Czech corporate records searches.
Bargig was found guilty in Israel – where gambling is illegal – of running 15 underground casinos that each housed six to eight slot machines and generated millions in revenues; investigators estimated this operation’s turnover between ILS 25 million (around US$8.5 million) and 100 million (approximately US$34 million).
Personal and Legal Background
Bargig was charged with illegal gambling in an extensive prosecution that featured 366 witnesses such as dealers, gamblers and managers in its original indictment.
One factor which garnered considerable media coverage was Nurit Bargig’s active police officer status at the same time her husband was under investigation, raising internal concern among intelligence units over potential conflicts of interests due to being married to someone familiar with gambling activities.
Tony Bargig was also known for being the son of Nino Bargig, an esteemed Israeli soccer coach renowned for guiding different teams during his long coaching career; and was himself an experienced soccer player himself.
Plea Agreement and Financial Consequences
Bargig entered into a plea bargain and received 15 months imprisonment as well as agreeing to forfeit ILS 1 million (approx. US$344,000). Furthermore, an administrative fine was assessed of ILS 350,000 (around US$119,000).
Bargig has challenged the Israeli Tax Authority over claims related to gambling income totalling millions of shekels, for which he seeks reimbursement.
Historical Comparisons
Israeli media have drawn parallels between Bargig’s death in Prague and that of Felix Abutbul – known by Israeli crime fans as “Netanya’s Gambling King” who also died there – who was murdered two decades earlier in Netanya, also.
Abutbul’s death led to a wave of reprisal violence among Israeli crime syndicates during the early 2000s.
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