By
Jane Shaw
Senior Editor Updated: 07/06/2024
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
Illegal Gambling Den
It has been reported that San Diego police recently busted an illegal gambling den as part of a huge crackdown on illegal gambling. San Diego law enforcement authorities raided a gambling parlor operating out of a residential building in Kensington, a neighborhood in Central San Diego. The operation led to the seizure of 23 video gaming machines, narcotics, and over $4,700 in cash.
The illegal facility was discreetly located above a commercial establishment, making it difficult to detect, according to officials. The police raid came after several tips from locals, which led to a thorough investigation. The raid resulted in nine people being caught gambling at the illegal establishment.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, authorities issued two misdemeanor citations during the operation. The charges included drug possession and presence in a prohibited gambling establishment. The people who were found at the site were detained briefly for questioning but were later released.
The raid marks the first major police action against illegal gambling in San Diego since a large-scale operation carried out by the FBI on April 14, 2021. The 2021 operation was carried out after a two-year investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which targeted 24 gambling dens scattered across the eastern parts of the city.
Those raids resulted in 35 arrests and charges against 47 people. Federal agents confiscated 640 gambling machines, 44 firearms, over 12 pounds of methamphetamine, and approximately $263,000 in cash.
At that time, SDPD Chief David Nisleit, said:
Numerous crimes have been linked to the illegal gambling operations. The investigative work led by the Violent Crimes Task Force and the arrests made have created a safer environment for all of our communities.
Officials said that illegal gambling venues, known as ‘slaphouses,’ are often found in areas with declining retail activity, and they are typically hidden behind vacant storefronts. The nickname comes from the noise generated by patrons frantically pressing buttons on the machines.
Although gambling for charitable causes and in informal neighborhood poker games is permitted under California law, organized gambling for profit is strictly regulated. Legal gambling operations are confined to tribal casinos, card rooms, horse racing tracks, and the state lottery.
These illegal venues are often linked to organized crime, including drug trafficking, violence, and gang activities. According to officials, the recent raid reflects a broader trend of rising underground gambling operations across California. This poses challenges to law enforcement as well as to community safety.
Despite the risks associated with illegal gambling, these activities only amount to a misdemeanor under current state laws. However, the ongoing efforts by local police and federal agencies reflect the seriousness of the problem.
Illegal gambling has become a huge issue in many states, and officials are concerned about the impact it has on the safety and protection of gamblers. There are also concerns about the impact illegal gambling dens such as this have on state finances, as these activities generate no revenue for the state.
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