Texas Raids Illegal Gambling Parlors Paying Winners in Cards

Texas law enforcement closed seven locations on Wednesday that were allegedly operating illegal gambling. These venues paid winners in Pokémon and sports cards instead of cash.

Police seized more than 500 gambling machines and a large amount of cash from businesses on the north and west sides of San Antonio. The locations operated under the name "777" behind storefronts. One of them was next to a card shop. According to officials, the goal was to evade Texas gambling laws.

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said the cards given to winners could be sold at the store next door for a few hundred dollars. Salazar said the operators were trying to get around the law and that this did not make the arrangement legal.

A total of 23 people were arrested in the operation. Thirteen face charges of drug possession, promoting gambling, and organized criminal activity. One suspect was reportedly found with crystal methamphetamine and heroin. Some suspects also had outstanding warrants.

Salazar said elderly people on fixed incomes could gamble at places like these, and that having drug dealers nearby was very dangerous. Payments were also made with silver pieces and other sports collectibles. Salazar also said that a venue had been raided before and that closed businesses had reopened elsewhere. Efforts against underground gambling networks have reportedly increased across the country in recent years. In February, a Texas mayor was also arrested in operations in Galveston County.