BRITS in Benidorm were stunned when police launched a full-scale raid on a popular pub and ordered them to stop playing bingo.

Officers told more than 100 people, most of them tourists from the UK, that it was illegal and seized all the prize money.

3 Brits in Benidorm were stunned when police launched a full-scale raid on a popular pub because they were holding a bingo night (stock image) Credit: Alamy

Cops also confiscated four microphones, two electronic bingo machines and 5,000 bingo cards.

They ordered four members of staff to identify themselves and told them the pub would be reported for "a very serious infringement".

Sources said the police knew Brits "performed illegal gambling activities" there and that previous warnings had been issued for flouting the gaming rules.

They added that most of the illegal bingo customers were tourists and British citizens residing in Benidorm.

3 Sources said the police knew Brits 'performed illegal gambling activities' in the popular Benidorm pub Credit: Alamy

The money taken amounted to €1,447 (£1,265) but it is believed a further €21,000 (£18,370) was found in a safe.

The shock raid was carried out after consultation with the various authorities, including the the General Directorate of Gambling of the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury.

Officials say the game of bingo is subject to strict legislation and can only be played in places which have the correct licences.

Three other pubs in Benidorm have also been either warned or raided.

Police action can include hefty fines and closure of the establishments if serious enough. Illegal gambling is considered "a very serious fault".

3 Illegal gambling is considered 'a very serious fault' in Benidorm Credit: Alamy

A statement from the Valencia Generalitat confirmed: "The Generalitat Police, in its tasks of inspection and control in the field of Shows and Games, has dismantled an illegal bingo that organised games in hospitality establishments of Benidorm with the participation of more than a hundred people, mostly foreigners."

"From the result of the operation, the four workers of the establishment were identified and €1,447 euros was intervened, money from the game in play and other games earlier that day."

Four microphones, two electronic bingo machines, two machines for wireless devices, 5,000 bingo cards, a booklet with collected money accounts and office supplies were also seized.

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The statement continued: "The agents of the Police of the Generalitat raised play records for administrative infractions to the Law of Shows and Treasury for the possession of €21,000 in a safe.

"The premises inspected is one of the establishments of the town of Benidorm run and attended by British citizens.

"[Their] clientele responds mostly to tourists and residents of Anglo-Saxon origin who perform illegal gambling activities.

"These businesses have already been inspected by agents of the regional police on several occasions, having seized all of them money and effects from illegal gambling."