© KOCO 5 illegal gambling operation
The Oklahoma City police arrested eight people for illegally gambling.
OKC police said the bust happened Friday evening after tips came from the public about the illegal scheme. Concerned citizens in the area alerted the police and their detectives took it from there by busting the operation.
“It is robbing from the legalized gambling operations that we have in our state,” said Wiley Harwell, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Problem Gambling and Gaming.
The busy Classen Boulevard and 23rd Street area has a lot of businesses but no legal casinos.
“During the search of this business, there were numerous gambling machines, gambling paraphernalia, and pounds of marijuana recovered,” said MSgt. Gary Knight, OKC police.
Friday evening, OKC police searched the area after tips of the operation were reported to their detectives. Who are the real victims here?
“The customers, for one, could be. And there would be no regulation. So, what kind of gambling is it, and is it fair, is it skewed in some fashion?” Harwell said.
How do you know if this is happening where you live?
“People coming and going at odd hours of the day. Traffic would be the number one sign of activity like that,” Harwell said.
The eight people haven’t been formally charged so we aren’t naming them at this time.
“We don’t see a lot of gambling stings take place, but we do see them from time to time,” Knight said.
Police said they expect more arrests to come from this illegal bust.
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