Dallas Poker Raid April 15
Audio Interview at www.trianglepokerjournal.com
Source: www.Pokerati.com
The Dallas Police Department continued its crackdown on poker by raiding the Audie Murphy VFW Post 1837 on the evening of April 15. There were reportedly seven full tables running when nearly 20 police officers entered the room. It was the vice squad this time, not the SWAT team. though some undercover player-officers were donning black hoods, face masks, and sunglasses to keep their identity sealed — one of whom responded to the name “Curtis.” No arrests were made, and about 70 players were issued gambling citations. Some employees of the poker room were cited for “keeping a gambling place.” According to Deputy Chief (Vice and Narcotics) J.A. Bernal, most of the alleged poker criminals “appeared to be hardworking, normal citizens; average everyday working joes. That’s what we found here today.” Here are some pictures from the raid:
Audio Interview at www.trianglepokerjournal.com
Source: www.Pokerati.com
The Dallas Police Department continued its crackdown on poker by raiding the Audie Murphy VFW Post 1837 on the evening of April 15. There were reportedly seven full tables running when nearly 20 police officers entered the room. It was the vice squad this time, not the SWAT team. though some undercover player-officers were donning black hoods, face masks, and sunglasses to keep their identity sealed — one of whom responded to the name “Curtis.” No arrests were made, and about 70 players were issued gambling citations. Some employees of the poker room were cited for “keeping a gambling place.” According to Deputy Chief (Vice and Narcotics) J.A. Bernal, most of the alleged poker criminals “appeared to be hardworking, normal citizens; average everyday working joes. That’s what we found here today.” Here are some pictures from the raid:
This VFW bust comes after an attempted armed robbery at one Dallas room the previous Friday night as police were reportedly raiding other poker rooms (including the Island Club and new Top Shelf). Dallas PD tells Pokerati that more gambling raids are to come.
Meanwhile, legislators in Austin are considering a bill to legalize some semblance of poker games similar to the one taking place at the VFW. Several state and local politicians support this bill (HB 3186) … presumably as an example of sensible government … including Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins, whose office now has at least another 100 poker-related misdemeanors added to its caseload.
Police are in a bind. They say this bust (like most others) was in response to a “citizen complaint” … and they are right when they say they are obligated to respond. Likewise, the DA has to prosecute — even if he doesn’t agree with the law. As a result of everyone simply trying to do their job in accordance with laws that may be outdated but are still on the books …. it becomes a simple question of resource allocation for both the cops and the courts in a city that has the highest violent crime rate in the nation.
When Pokerati arrived on the scene, all the players were gone, but there were a few marked police cars, and cops were loading up the official DPD U-haul with chips and tables … Inside, eight or nine peace officers in dark, wrap-around sunglasses (and a few wearing black ninja-style face masks) corralled around the main table like, er, poker players … counting money and pushing stacks around as they took inventory.
Meanwhile, legislators in Austin are considering a bill to legalize some semblance of poker games similar to the one taking place at the VFW. Several state and local politicians support this bill (HB 3186) … presumably as an example of sensible government … including Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins, whose office now has at least another 100 poker-related misdemeanors added to its caseload.
Police are in a bind. They say this bust (like most others) was in response to a “citizen complaint” … and they are right when they say they are obligated to respond. Likewise, the DA has to prosecute — even if he doesn’t agree with the law. As a result of everyone simply trying to do their job in accordance with laws that may be outdated but are still on the books …. it becomes a simple question of resource allocation for both the cops and the courts in a city that has the highest violent crime rate in the nation.
When Pokerati arrived on the scene, all the players were gone, but there were a few marked police cars, and cops were loading up the official DPD U-haul with chips and tables … Inside, eight or nine peace officers in dark, wrap-around sunglasses (and a few wearing black ninja-style face masks) corralled around the main table like, er, poker players … counting money and pushing stacks around as they took inventory.
This raid follows on the heels of last November, when one of the largest raid operations in North Texas took place. Three simultaneous raids used hidden camera video and floor plans for each of three locations before the raids were executed.
A total of 100 players were dealt unlucky hands when authorities crashed the parties, including breaking in windows at one a northwest Dallas office complex. That raid, along with one on Forrest Lane and another on Swiss Avenue resulted in 20 arrests of operators and dealers, 79 citations for players and $43,000 in cash seized. No one was arrested.
To date, according to Pokerati, Dallas Police have closed down many local games. Pokerati claims there has not yet been a single conviction (by judge or jury) of more than 200 potential defendants. Here is their list of underground poker rooms put out of business recently:
Aces
Jackie’s
JB’s/Goodfellows
Ace High
R&R #2
VFW-Audie Murphy
Top Shelf
Island Club
DC’s Poker House
Outside of Dallas:
EV Enterprises (Richardson)
Sons of Italy (McKinney)
Poker Pound (Duncanville)
R’s Game (Addison)
R&R (Carrollton)
At www.trianglepokerjournal.com, you will find the audio from an impromptu, late-night interview with the Dallas police official who seemed to be in charge of the post-raid cleanup at the Audie Murphy VFW. He provides some basic facts about this latest police incursion and some insight into how local games are seen by the police.
Mentioned in the Interview
Vice unit does more gambling busts than SWAT
Citizen complaints start the process, DA’s office on the other
Two weeks of investigation nets search warrant for 70+ misdemeanors
Should Dallas expect more busts? “Absolutely”
One person had some outstanding drug charges
Police found a small amount of methamphetamine at the VFW
Texas ABC was also there … found violations in VFW pool hall/bar next door
No federal involvement (yet) but investigation continues after takedown … relevant info forwarded to the IRS
“hard-working normal citizens, average everyday working joes” (at 6:35 on the tape)
A total of 100 players were dealt unlucky hands when authorities crashed the parties, including breaking in windows at one a northwest Dallas office complex. That raid, along with one on Forrest Lane and another on Swiss Avenue resulted in 20 arrests of operators and dealers, 79 citations for players and $43,000 in cash seized. No one was arrested.
To date, according to Pokerati, Dallas Police have closed down many local games. Pokerati claims there has not yet been a single conviction (by judge or jury) of more than 200 potential defendants. Here is their list of underground poker rooms put out of business recently:
Aces
Jackie’s
JB’s/Goodfellows
Ace High
R&R #2
VFW-Audie Murphy
Top Shelf
Island Club
DC’s Poker House
Outside of Dallas:
EV Enterprises (Richardson)
Sons of Italy (McKinney)
Poker Pound (Duncanville)
R’s Game (Addison)
R&R (Carrollton)
At www.trianglepokerjournal.com, you will find the audio from an impromptu, late-night interview with the Dallas police official who seemed to be in charge of the post-raid cleanup at the Audie Murphy VFW. He provides some basic facts about this latest police incursion and some insight into how local games are seen by the police.
Mentioned in the Interview
Vice unit does more gambling busts than SWAT
Citizen complaints start the process, DA’s office on the other
Two weeks of investigation nets search warrant for 70+ misdemeanors
Should Dallas expect more busts? “Absolutely”
One person had some outstanding drug charges
Police found a small amount of methamphetamine at the VFW
Texas ABC was also there … found violations in VFW pool hall/bar next door
No federal involvement (yet) but investigation continues after takedown … relevant info forwarded to the IRS
“hard-working normal citizens, average everyday working joes” (at 6:35 on the tape)
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