The adage, ‘the house always wins’ fell flat for two illegal gambling establishments when they were raided and closed down by the Roodepoort police on September 11.

Roodepoort police together with the Gauteng Gambling Board and Cybercrime officials, the Roodepoort K9 Unit, Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch patrollers and local security companies pounced on the Star Lounge in Wilrogate Shopping Centre and the internet lounge in Kilburn Centre in simultaneous operations run by Warrant Officer Johan Loots and Warrant Officer Paul Lourens respectively.

During the raids, they recovered cash and gambling-related equipment to an approximate value of R300 million.

“This was six years in the making,” says a very pleased Loots. “The operation has seen its share of ups and downs, but finally, in April this year, we managed to tap into the knowledge and skills of the Gauteng Gambling Board and the Cybercrime Unit, and things started moving.

“We spent countless hours completing the correct paperwork and getting approvals and warrants, and finally, in August, we were ready.”

Loots says that during August police officers carried out inspections and issued warnings to the operators of the illegal businesses. These, as expected, went unheeded.

During the evening of September 10, Loots received final approval for the operation and decided to set the wheels in motion immediately.

“I made arrangements for everyone involved to meet at the police station the next morning where we meticulously planned our approach. By 10:00 we were ready. We split up into two groups and moved to the two locations.

“We had sent informants into both establishments, so we knew that both targets were open and trading.

“Our officers rushed the shops and took them completely by surprise. A few people tried to make a run for it, but were stopped in their tracks.”

At the end of the day, police managed to arrest one suspect at the Star Lounge in Wilrogate and two at the Internet Lounge in Kilburn Centre. Police also discovered some drugs in the form of crystal meth and CAT at the Star Lounge in Wilrogate.

“I am very proud of our team,” says Loots. “Their hard work and dedication ensured that these illegal businesses are closed down and no longer pose a threat to residents.”

Loots adds that illegal gambling establishments, almost without exception, are linked with other criminal activities.

“Every time we visit these places, we come across the familiar faces of the who’s who of crime in the local area. Drugs, prostitution, vehicle theft, gate motor theft; all these crimes have links to these establishments in one way or another.

“Illegal gambling establishments invite the criminal element into our neighbourhoods. As the police, we are determined to close down every single one.”