For the second time in the past nine months, Corpus Christi Police Department Narcotics & Vice Investigations Detectives have raided the same illegally operated game room on the City’s southside. Following a months-long investigation into the business that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling, Detectives obtained a search warrant for the Player’s Lounge game room, located in a strip mall on the 3400 block of SPID. During the search, detectives found and seized a substantial amount of gambling equipment and over $73,000 cash. Although the business was closed at the time of the raid, NVID Detectives have identified the owner/operator and employees; future arrests for gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, possession of a gambling device, and engaging in organized criminal activity are likely. Engaging in organized criminal activity is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the other three charges are class A misdemeanors.

The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by officers with the CCPD Traffic Unit and investigators with the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, which regulates coin operated machines.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local state and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling. Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.