Israeli ‘King of Slot Machines’ Tony Bargig Murdered in Prague

Israeli businessman Tony Bargig, a 54-year-old casino owner once dubbed the “King of Slot Machines” in Israel, was killed early Thursday morning in Prague. Czech police are investigating the slaying, but have released no details on the circumstances of the murder or any suspects.

Bargig, who had been operating legal casinos in the Czech capital in recent years, had a well-documented criminal history in Israel tied to illegal gambling. He was particularly known in the central Israeli communities of Rishon Lezion, Be’er Yaakov, and surrounding areas, where his family has deep roots.

A former soccer player, Bargig was the son of Nino Bargig, a veteran Israeli soccer coach who died in 2023 at age 84. Nino coached several teams, including Hapoel Rishon Lezion and Hapoel Be’er Sheva, and a soccer field in Be’er Yaakov was named in his honor.

Prominent Figure in Major Gambling Case

Bargig’s name featured prominently in one of Israel’s largest illegal gambling investigations. Between 2008 and 2014, he allegedly ran a network of approximately 15 gambling houses equipped with slot machines in Rishon Lezion, Be’er Yaakov, Mishmar Hashiv’a, and other central locations. Israeli law severely restricts private gambling, limiting it mainly to state-regulated lotteries and sports betting.

In 2020, he reached a plea deal and was sentenced to 15 months in prison, along with the forfeiture of 1 million shekels and a 350,000-shekel fine. He later contested large tax demands from the Israel Tax Authority related to tens of millions of shekels allegedly earned from the operation.

In recent years, Bargig had relocated his gambling and casino businesses to Prague.

Investigation Ongoing

The murder has drawn comparisons in Israeli media to the 2002 assassination in Prague of another Israeli underworld figure, Felix Abutbul. As of Thursday, the Czech investigation remains in its early stages, with no further public information released.

Czech authorities have not commented on whether the killing was targeted or linked to Bargig’s past.

This is a developing story. Updates are expected as the Czech police investigation progresses.