Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division took down yet another illicit gambling operation Wednesday afternoon. Continuing their initiative to eliminate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits, NVID Detectives served a search warrant at the Midway Club game room, located on the 4600 block of Kostoryz Road, shortly after 2:00 pm yesterday. The search warrant was the conclusion of a months-long investigation into the business that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. During the search, Detectives found and seized multiple illegal gambling devices and over $9,000 in cash. The lone employee at the time of the raid, Graciela Guzman, age 64, was arrested and charged with gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, possession of a gambling device, and engaging in organized criminal activity. 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. 16 adult patrons inside the game room were cited for gambling, a class C misdemeanor. NVID had previously raided the same location on September 14, 2022. That raid resulted in the arrest of one woman for similar charges, and the seizure of over $61,000 in cash. Even though the business possesses a valid Nueces County Game Room Permit, that does not allow the business to violate the Texas Gambling Statute by paying out cash prizes.

This investigation continues, and additional charges and arrests are possible. 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 Operations Division, as well as 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.