Gambling Dens have been Busted
9th November, 2007
Eight illegal gambling operations were broken up when detectives burst into the poker dens. Long Island, Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota said."Given the popularity of poker, particularly Texas Hold 'Em ... we are seeing that these facilities are proliferating,"
Nine poker managers were arrested and face charges.
Joe Paternostro, the manager of a Holbrook car accessories shop next door to one of the raided gambling dens, said his neighbors where quiet and kept a low profile. The only sign that something was amiss was the steady stream of men that would come through the building. Joe said"You didn't know really what was going on, but you kind of knew, too,"
“Illegal gambling historically attracts loan sharks and criminals looking to rip off cash-carrying players.” Spota said. He also pointed out the problem of gambling addiction on players and their families. "I can't tell you how many people have written to my office to complain about this," he said.
The players involved found out about the dens through e-mails and the house took a rake on the played hands. Along with $10,000 in cash, poker machines, casino-style poker tables, furniture and DVD players, agents also found forms that managers used to track players' credit. "These sheets are for people who lose their shirts and want to keep playing," Spota said.
There were nine men arrested in total who were all charged with promoting gambling, five of them also face a criminal nuisance charge or bench warrants.
The nine men arrested were all charged with promoting gambling, a class A misdemeanor; five of them also face a criminal nuisance charge or bench warrants. No players were arrested because gambling laws only apply to those profiting from the gambling business, Spota said.
