Police nab dozens of gambling seniors in Cyprus

NICOSIA (Reuters) - Police in Cyprus detained dozens of elderly women for gambling, a popular but banned past-time on the east Mediterranean island.

Police alerted by neighbours found 42 women playing poker and gin rummy at a venue in the coastal town of Limassol. Most were aged between 75 and 85, with the eldest 95.

"They were charged with gambling and released," a police spokesman said.

Neighbours had complained the women were causing a disturbance with their comings and goings.

Card games are a popular pastime in Cyprus but playing with money, though widespread, is banned. Online gambling, which attracts a much younger audience, is unregulated.

(Editing by Angus MacSwan)