Hamilton - Police uncover illegal gaming house

BfillmaffBfillmaff
in General Poker Chat
Ruh-Roh.... Here's hoping it was the "video gambling" and not the hold'em...


Article from the spectator:


Police uncover illegal gaming house
Hamilton police say they've dismantled an illegal downtown gaming house where patrons were playing Texas Hold'em poker and video gambling machines.

Police executed a search warrant at 311 King St. E. Tuesday night, seizing eight machines that play casino-style games and arresting four people who were allegedly running the operation.

The men and women, all between 40 and 50 years old, are each charged with keeping a common gaming house. One is also facing a cocaine possession charge.

Police have not released their names because they were released from the scene on a promise to appear in court next month. Their names will become public once the charges are sworn in court.

A Hamilton vice and drug unit officer, who's been seconded to the Ontario Provincial Police organized crime illegal gambling unit for the past year, said the activity was visible from the street and police had received a number of community complaints.

He said he couldn't talk about what the business looked like before the police search, or what tactics were used during the investigation.

Online searches of the address came up with the name P & P Café Nio.

"I didn't see anyone with coffee," said the officer, who cannot be named as he works undercover.

The nondescript building has no signage and on a visit Thursday afternoon, the blinds were dawn. However, the front door was propped open and people inside were standing around high-top tables.

The officer says he's not sure how long the alleged gambling house was in operation, but he's been aware of it for at least a year. People commenting online believe it has been open for much longer.

It operated day and night and the number of people inside varied at any given time, police said. At the time of the police search there were 15 to 20 customers inside, who police decided not to charge.

The undercover officer explained that people getting together for a game of poker is not illegal, but it crosses the line when there is a session fee or some sort of profit to organizers.

Police are still processing the items seized from the property, so the financial figures for the business are not yet clear.

Comments

  • pkrfce9pkrfce9
    that's no reason to not release their names

    anybody you know?
  • GTA PokerGTA Poker
    was there free pool though?
  • MiloMilo
    For what it's worth, I don't think ANYONE's names should be published until they are convicted of a crime.
  • BfillmaffBfillmaff
    updated OP with the full article. Never knew about this game (or I would have been playing there!)
  • MiloMilo
    It's nice that the Cop at least made an attempt at accurately portraying the statute, as opposed to the usual nonsense they spew in cases like this.
  • Bill EfremidisBill Efremidis
    It wasn't me. I'm innocent. But that's what they all say before they take you away.
  • BlondeFishBlondeFish
    As the undercover officer explained, people getting together for a game of poker at your place is not illegal.
    Bill Efremidis wrote: »
    It wasn't me. I'm innocent. But that's what they all say before they take you away.
  • JimmyHoJimmyHo
    not sure how they decide on which game to bust with sooo many in operation? I guess because there were complaints and it was visible from the street, were the deciding factors.
Sign In or Register to comment.
HomeDiscussionsToggle Dark Mode