TORONTO: Police flush four illegal poker rings

[clevfan]

Police flush four illegal poker rings


July 22, 2008
Precious Yutangco
Toronto Staff Reporter



Seems some card players in the GTA don't know when to fold 'em.

Police closed down four illegal gambling rings on the weekend and say a growing mania for Texas hold 'em poker has made the activity more lucrative than ever.

"It's an epidemic right now, with Texas hold 'em on TV and on the Internet and all the avenues available for them," Det. Emilio Dipoce said.

While police only seized $12,000 in cash during the raids in Toronto and Pickering, Dipoce said operators who run a single Texas hold 'em can make more than $400,000 in one game.

"And that's being very, very conservative," he said.

Forty-seven people, including two minors, are facing charges.

The investigation began almost five months ago when the Illegal Gambling Unit of the Organized Crime Section, comprising nine southern Ontario police departments, received complaints about illegal gambling rings in the GTA.

On Friday, police from Toronto, Durham Region and the OPP searched industrial buildings at 5050 Dufferin St. and 4100 Chesswood Dr. in Toronto and 1035 Brock Rd. in Pickering. They also raided Garden of Eden, a restaurant at 4801 Steeles Ave. W.

Nine people were charged with keeping a gaming house; 38, including two minors, with gambling.

No further arrests are expected.

Police also seized $23,000 in gambling equipment, including gaming tables, chips and playing cards. Gambling machines were also in use at the restaurant, police said.

Dipoce said those running the ring could face $5,000 to $70,000 in fines and, "for repeat offenders, we will be seeking jail time."

Gamblers may face fines of $100 to $300, but Dipoce said it's unlikely they'll have to pay up.

Operators of illegal gambling rings usually offer to pay any fines their customers get in order to ensure their repeat business, he said.

Police are not sure how long the four rings had been running, but Dipoce said most were in operation before the investigation began.

While all four search warrants were executed on the same day, it does not appear the operations were connected, he said.

Charged with keeping a gaming house are: Vitali M. Abramov, 25, William Smyth, 22, Kwesi K. Ellis, 30, Jefara M. Marcus, 36, and Ruby Dela Cruz, 46, all of Toronto; Samuel Joseph Shirose, 77, of Thornhill; D. Paul Pritchett, 35, and Tanya M. Lee, 34, both of Ajax.

The name of the ninth suspect wasn't released.

[indio]

Hmmmm, they say they seized only $12,000 in cash, but Det. Dipoce says that operators can make $400,000 in one game. What drugs is this guy on? 400,000? in one game? That would be rake from a table full of millionares playing 4000/8000 for a long session with a 3% drag. Are we to believe, that the players in this game, who have millions on them, would choose to play at an illegal card room in Toronto, with the threat of arrest and seizure, or getting robbed by armed intruders, when they can play at a legal casino with armed security men, and probably get comped at a $25,000 a night suite?

I sure hope the majority of people have enough common sense to realize how ridiculous that statement was.

[StarnetGypsy]

Originally Posted by indio

Hmmmm, they say they seized only $12,000 in cash, but Det. Dipoce says that operators can make $400,000 in one game.

"And that's being very, very conservative," he said.

sounds like a very lucrative business and if you're caught you only have to pay a small fine? where do i sign up?!?

[dinque]

poker epidemic wipes out canada.thousands die from drawing to inside straight...

[jimike]

Originally Posted by indio

Hmmmm, they say they seized only $12,000 in cash, but Det. Dipoce says that operators can make $400,000 in one game. What drugs is this guy on? 400,000? in one game? That would be rake from a table full of millionares playing 4000/8000 for a long session with a 3% drag. Are we to believe, that the players in this game, who have millions on them, would choose to play at an illegal card room in Toronto, with the threat of arrest and seizure, or getting robbed by armed intruders, when they can play at a legal casino with armed security men, and probably get comped at a $25,000 a night suite?

I sure hope the majority of people have enough common sense to realize how ridiculous that statement was.

yeah but you never know.... i think also on the front page that day was "Local police blow $388,000 in crazy drinking fest"

[gridironguy]

great, now they cant even gamble in canada, where the hell will we americans move when the feds come a knockin

[StarnetGypsy]

Originally Posted by dinque

poker epidemic wipes out canada.thousands die from drawing to inside straight...

LMAO!

good one Dinque, too funny ....

how's things? been to a crableg buffet lately?

[dinque]

hit the bellagio buffet last week.the mrs. a big buffet fan

[StarnetGypsy]

please say hello for me. she's a great gal, and i really enjoyed her company when we all hit that buffet at the Palms ... hope to see y'all next year.