Eluding the Law: The Clever Scheme
According to Texas law, there are strict regulations for gambling and prize amounts. Operators of the illegal dens, branded under “777” in shopping centers in northern and western San Antonio, created an ingenious scheme.
When a player won, they wouldn’t receive cash directly but instead received a Pokémon or sports card. It was then a simple task to head to a nearby collectibles shop to sell the card for several hundred dollars in cash. One of these gambling dens was conveniently located right next to such a card shop.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar summed it up straightforwardly: “We know what they're doing. They're trying to skirt the law, but it doesn’t make their actions any less illegal.”
A Massive Raid
The Organized Crime Task Force conducted coordinated raids on seven locations simultaneously. During the operation, police seized over 500 gaming machines and a large amount of cash.
In total, 23 people were arrested, with 13 facing serious charges of organized crime, operating illegal gambling, and possession of dangerous drugs.
Sheriff Salazar also warned of the dangers these places pose to the public, attracting violent criminal activities and armed robberies.
Illegal operations bypassing gambling laws are not exclusive to Texas. Authorities across the USA have previously uncovered various underground casinos masquerading as legitimate businesses.
However, the San Antonio case showcased a new level of creativity, where the phenomenon of Pokémon collectible cards became currency in the underworld.
Sources: San Antonio Express-News, FB
