A Flagstaff, Arizona business was recently raided in a gambling ring bust.
According to the AZ Daily Sun, law enforcement officers served a search warrant at a Fourth Street business early Thursday in response to reports of illegal gambling activity in the city. Search warrants were also executed at locations in Parks and Phoenix.
Hundreds of computers were found that were purportedly used in the online gambling operation.
Flagstaff Police Department Sgt. Cory Runge said that because the devices were unregulated, they were set to very low win ratios: “Typically, with these types of operations, they target the elderly, minorities, low-income communities and women. They have them come in and gamble. Then, because the win ratios are so low, they almost never win. It’s basically a big scam. They target the poor.”
After a year-long, multi-agency investigation into the reports of illegal gambling activity search warrants were issued. Officials seized $100,000 worth equipment, more than 200 computers, and $14,000 in cash. The ring may not be isolated only to Arizona as the Flagstaff Police Department has reason to believe they have been operating in multiple states throughout the country.
No suspects have been named at this time and no criminal charges filed.
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