Dallas Vice & SWAT Raid Illegal Poker Games 20 Arrests Made, 79 Citations Issued, $43,000 Seized
J.D. Miles Reporting
(CBS 11 News) DALLAS Over the past weekend, Dallas Vice and SWAT officers were involved in one of the largest illegal gambling raids in North Texas. Three simultaneous raids are an indication of how popular illegal poker games are in Dallas, and how determined officers are to stop them.
Some see the games as "friendly," but police call it promotion of gambling, and conducted the weekend raids to flush out a growing underground industry.
To many the arrested poker players didn't look like criminals, but in a game where the house gets a percentage, they were committing a crime.
"It's not regulated, so the people that are running these poker houses charge a lot of money," said Lt. Christina Smith with the Dallas Police. "There's no way to check to see if what they are doing is proper."
Police had hidden camera video and floor plans for each location before the raids were executed.
A total of 100 players were dealt unlucky hands when authorities crashed the parties. Windows were broken at a northwest Dallas office complex. That raid, along with one on Forrest Lane and another on Swiss Avenue resulted in 20 arrests of operators and dealers, 79 citations for players and $43,000 in cash seized.
Most of the players caught on Friday night wanted nothing to do with the media, but those who did speak say that they got a raw deal. Player Michael McCoy said, "You got billions of dollars going through online all across the U.S. This is a family game. That's about it."
Cash and poker tables were removed and officers chased down those who tried to run. One policeman told CBS 11 News, "All of the players you see behind me will get citations, but the operators face more serious charges."
The television news report is not clear on this, so I will ask the question directly: Were these "operators" charging a rake off of each pot (if it was limit poker) or an entry fee that went into the operator's pocket if it was no-limit tournament poker? If that is the case, then they were operating as an "unregulated" (and unlicensed) casino and have no one but themselves to blame for the bust. (If they were raking the players, then they were asking for trouble.)
As for the players, I'm not a lawyer but I think a "citation" is roughly equivalent to a speeding ticket or a moving violation, so the players get the legal equivalent of a slap on the wrist. I play in a lot of "bar tournaments" here in my home town, but the establishments where I play are very careful NOT to charge a rake or an entry fee, so they don't "profit" (directly) from the poker. Of course, we tend to buy a lot of food and drink, so they do make some money that way, but they don't make money off the poker per se. (If the bars where I play started charging an entry fee, I would quit playing there immediately. So far, that is not a problem.)
> Dallas Vice & SWAT Raid Illegal Poker Games > 20 Arrests Made, 79 Citations Issued, $43,000 Seized
> J.D. Miles > Reporting
> (CBS 11 News) DALLAS Over the past weekend, Dallas Vice and SWAT > officers were involved in one of the largest illegal gambling raids in > North Texas. Three simultaneous raids are an indication of how popular > illegal poker games are in Dallas, and how determined officers are to > stop them.
> Some see the games as "friendly," but police call it promotion of > gambling, and conducted the weekend raids to flush out a growing > underground industry.
> To many the arrested poker players didn't look like criminals, but in a > game where the house gets a percentage, they were committing a crime.
> "It's not regulated, so the people that are running these poker houses > charge a lot of money," said Lt. Christina Smith with the Dallas > Police. "There's no way to check to see if what they are doing is > proper."
> Police had hidden camera video and floor plans for each location before > the raids were executed.
> A total of 100 players were dealt unlucky hands when authorities > crashed the parties. Windows were broken at a northwest Dallas office > complex. That raid, along with one on Forrest Lane and another on Swiss > Avenue resulted in 20 arrests of operators and dealers, 79 citations > for players and $43,000 in cash seized.
> Most of the players caught on Friday night wanted nothing to do with > the media, but those who did speak say that they got a raw deal. Player > Michael McCoy said, "You got billions of dollars going through online > all across the U.S. This is a family game. That's about it."
> Cash and poker tables were removed and officers chased down those who > tried to run. One policeman told CBS 11 News, "All of the players you > see behind me will get citations, but the operators face more serious > charges."
It's good to know the police in Texas are able to rise above petty distractions like murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, drug dealing, child pornography, missing persons, burglary, vandalism, domestic violence and tens of thousands of illegal aliens and focus on the really serious problem - poker games.
Dallas Vice & SWAT Raid Illegal Poker Games 20 Arrests Made, 79 Citations Issued, $43,000 Seized
J.D. Miles Reporting
(CBS 11 News) DALLAS Over the past weekend, Dallas Vice and SWAT officers were involved in one of the largest illegal gambling raids in North Texas. Three simultaneous raids are an indication of how popular illegal poker games are in Dallas, and how determined officers are to stop them.
Some see the games as "friendly," but police call it promotion of gambling, and conducted the weekend raids to flush out a growing underground industry.
To many the arrested poker players didn't look like criminals, but in a game where the house gets a percentage, they were committing a crime.
"It's not regulated, so the people that are running these poker houses charge a lot of money," said Lt. Christina Smith with the Dallas Police. "There's no way to check to see if what they are doing is proper."
Police had hidden camera video and floor plans for each location before the raids were executed.
A total of 100 players were dealt unlucky hands when authorities crashed the parties. Windows were broken at a northwest Dallas office complex. That raid, along with one on Forrest Lane and another on Swiss Avenue resulted in 20 arrests of operators and dealers, 79 citations for players and $43,000 in cash seized.
Most of the players caught on Friday night wanted nothing to do with the media, but those who did speak say that they got a raw deal. Player Michael McCoy said, "You got billions of dollars going through online all across the U.S. This is a family game. That's about it."
Cash and poker tables were removed and officers chased down those who tried to run. One policeman told CBS 11 News, "All of the players you see behind me will get citations, but the operators face more serious charges."
On Nov 22, 10:39 am, "lawho...@HiWAAY.net" <lawho...@HiWAAY.net> wrote:
> The television news report is not clear on this, so I will ask the > question directly: Were these "operators" charging a rake off of each > pot (if it was limit poker) or an entry fee that went into the > operator's pocket if it was no-limit tournament poker? If that is the > case, then they were operating as an "unregulated" (and unlicensed) > casino and have no one but themselves to blame for the bust. (If they > were raking the players, then they were asking for trouble.)
It doesn't matter which they were doing. In TX a poker game is illegal if anyone profits materially from it in any way other than through winnings obtained by playing. That means the house charging for anything in connection with the game, including rake, entry fees, food/beverage sales, etc. It also means dealers/waitresses/etc. being compensated in any way. There's a shitload of games like these in the D/FW Metroplex.
I would also point out that the Dallas PD does not represent the state of Texas.
> It's good to know the police in Texas are able to rise above petty > distractions like murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, drug dealing, child > pornography, missing persons, burglary, vandalism, domestic violence and > tens of thousands of illegal aliens and focus on the really serious > problem - poker games.
> Irish Mike
Christ Mike, Don't you know ANYTHING?
Poker Games CAUSE murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, drug dealing, child pornography, missing persons, burglary, vandalism, domestic violence and tens of thousands of illegal aliens.
> Poker Games CAUSE murder, rape, armed robbery, > assault, drug dealing, child pornography, missing persons, > burglary, vandalism, domestic violence and > tens of thousands of illegal aliens.
And housemaid's knee and warts on one index finger.
On Nov 22, 11:35 am, "Kinnipak" <a83e...@webnntp.invalid> wrote:
> Christ Mike, Don't you know ANYTHING?
> Poker Games CAUSE murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, drug dealing, > child > pornography, missing persons, burglary, vandalism, domestic violence and > tens of thousands of illegal aliens.
> I thought you were smarter than that.
To be fair, I'm sure poker games have contributed their fair share to the domestic violence problem. It's just that the abuse tends to be directed in the opposite direction.
Wife: "You lost HOW MUCH tonight?!!"
The beating generally commences shortly thereafter.
> On Nov 22, 11:35 am, "Kinnipak" <a83e...@webnntp.invalid> wrote:
> > Christ Mike, Don't you know ANYTHING?
> > Poker Games CAUSE murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, drug dealing, > > child > > pornography, missing persons, burglary, vandalism, domestic violence and > > tens of thousands of illegal aliens.
> > I thought you were smarter than that.
> To be fair, I'm sure poker games have contributed their fair share to > the domestic violence problem. It's just that the abuse tends to be > directed in the opposite direction.
> Wife: "You lost HOW MUCH tonight?!!"
> The beating generally commences shortly thereafter.
but who is beating who?
-------- RecGroups : the community-oriented newsreader : www.recgroups.com
> Dallas Vice & SWAT Raid Illegal Poker Games > 20 Arrests Made, 79 Citations Issued, $43,000 Seized
> J=2ED. Miles > Reporting
> (CBS 11 News) DALLAS Over the past weekend, Dallas Vice and SWAT > officers were involved in one of the largest illegal gambling raids in > North Texas. Three simultaneous raids are an indication of how popular > illegal poker games are in Dallas, and how determined officers are to > stop them.
> Some see the games as "friendly," but police call it promotion of > gambling, and conducted the weekend raids to flush out a growing > underground industry.
> To many the arrested poker players didn't look like criminals, but in a > game where the house gets a percentage, they were committing a crime.
> "It's not regulated, so the people that are running these poker houses > charge a lot of money," said Lt. Christina Smith with the Dallas > Police. "There's no way to check to see if what they are doing is > proper."
> Police had hidden camera video and floor plans for each location before > the raids were executed.
> A total of 100 players were dealt unlucky hands when authorities > crashed the parties. Windows were broken at a northwest Dallas office > complex. That raid, along with one on Forrest Lane and another on Swiss > Avenue resulted in 20 arrests of operators and dealers, 79 citations > for players and $43,000 in cash seized.
> Most of the players caught on Friday night wanted nothing to do with > the media, but those who did speak say that they got a raw deal. Player > Michael McCoy said, "You got billions of dollars going through online > all across the U.S. This is a family game. That's about it."
> Cash and poker tables were removed and officers chased down those who > tried to run. One policeman told CBS 11 News, "All of the players you > see behind me will get citations, but the operators face more serious > charges."
> (=A9 MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
> > It's good to know the police in Texas are able to rise above petty > > distractions like murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, drug dealing, child > > pornography, missing persons, burglary, vandalism, domestic violence and > > tens of thousands of illegal aliens and focus on the really serious > > problem - poker games.
> > Irish Mike
> Christ Mike, Don't you know ANYTHING?
> Poker Games CAUSE murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, drug dealing, > child > pornography, missing persons, burglary, vandalism, domestic violence and > tens of thousands of illegal aliens.
> "It's not regulated, so the people that are running these poker houses > charge a lot of money," said Lt. Christina Smith with the Dallas > Police. "There's no way to check to see if what they are doing is > proper."
If I read it correctly, she's trying to spin the raid as a way to protect players from crooked games . . . by confiscating all the money.
> Dallas Vice & SWAT Raid Illegal Poker Games > 20 Arrests Made, 79 Citations Issued, $43,000 Seized
> J=2ED. Miles > Reporting
> (CBS 11 News) DALLAS Over the past weekend, Dallas Vice and SWAT > officers were involved in one of the largest illegal gambling raids in > North Texas. Three simultaneous raids are an indication of how popular > illegal poker games are in Dallas, and how determined officers are to > stop them.
> Some see the games as "friendly," but police call it promotion of > gambling, and conducted the weekend raids to flush out a growing > underground industry.
> To many the arrested poker players didn't look like criminals, but in a > game where the house gets a percentage, they were committing a crime.
> "It's not regulated, so the people that are running these poker houses > charge a lot of money," said Lt. Christina Smith with the Dallas > Police. "There's no way to check to see if what they are doing is > proper."
> Police had hidden camera video and floor plans for each location before > the raids were executed.
> A total of 100 players were dealt unlucky hands when authorities > crashed the parties. Windows were broken at a northwest Dallas office > complex. That raid, along with one on Forrest Lane and another on Swiss > Avenue resulted in 20 arrests of operators and dealers, 79 citations > for players and $43,000 in cash seized.
> Most of the players caught on Friday night wanted nothing to do with > the media, but those who did speak say that they got a raw deal. Player > Michael McCoy said, "You got billions of dollars going through online > all across the U.S. This is a family game. That's about it."
> Cash and poker tables were removed and officers chased down those who > tried to run. One policeman told CBS 11 News, "All of the players you > see behind me will get citations, but the operators face more serious > charges."
> (=A9 MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
> It's good to know the police in Texas are able to rise above petty > distractions like murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, drug dealing, child > pornography, missing persons, burglary, vandalism, domestic violence and > tens of thousands of illegal aliens and focus on the really serious > problem - poker games.
> Irish Mike
Dude, arresting criminals is dangerous work and generally thankless. What better way to get fame and more importantly re-election than to harrass poker potzers who have almost no probability of harming your officers? DUH! :P
> Neal the REAL DEAL! wrote: > > "It's not regulated, so the people that are running these poker houses > > charge a lot of money," said Lt. Christina Smith with the Dallas > > Police. "There's no way to check to see if what they are doing is > > proper."
> If I read it correctly, she's trying to spin the raid as a way to > protect players from crooked games . . . by confiscating all the money.
I have played in many Dallas poker games and have been robbed once and busted by the police once. I must say that the police bust was damn near as scary as the robbery. There we were a bunch of mostly old retirees and they busted the door in and came in with their ninja masks and pistols leveled at us. A pistol was about a foot from my face. We were all scared shitless. As usual they were arrogant and demanding. In the end we got a ticket and the host of the game got a lawyer and everything was dismissed. The Texas legislature and govenor are sitting on their hands while all of us go to Okla, Louisana,New Mexico to gamble legally.But of course we have the lottery,dog racing and horse racing and believe me they all have lobbyist to defeat any bill authorizing casinos. Gary Carson you need to come to our rescus and make them see the light.
Bi;;
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> > Neal the REAL DEAL! wrote: > > > "It's not regulated, so the people that are running these poker houses > > > charge a lot of money," said Lt. Christina Smith with the Dallas > > > Police. "There's no way to check to see if what they are doing is > > > proper."
> > If I read it correctly, she's trying to spin the raid as a way to > > protect players from crooked games . . . by confiscating all the money.
> I have played in many Dallas poker games and have been robbed once and busted > by > the police once. I must say that the police bust was damn near as scary as the > robbery. There we were a bunch of mostly old retirees and they busted the door > in and came in with their ninja masks and pistols leveled at us. A pistol was > about a foot from my face. We were all scared shitless. As usual they were > arrogant and demanding. In the end we got a ticket and the host of the game > got > a lawyer and everything was dismissed. The Texas legislature and govenor are > sitting on their hands while all of us go to Okla, Louisana,New Mexico to > gamble > legally.But of course we have the lottery,dog racing and horse racing and > believe me they all have lobbyist to defeat any bill authorizing casinos. Gary > Carson you need to come to our rescus and make them see the light.
> It's good to know the police in Texas are able to rise above petty > distractions like murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, drug dealing, child > pornography, missing persons, burglary, vandalism, domestic violence and > tens of thousands of illegal aliens and focus on the really serious > problem - poker games.
Poker players don't shoot back, so, like all bullies and cowards Dallas Swat loves this action.
Fortiter ille facit, qui miser esse potest
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> On Nov 22, 10:39 am, "lawho...@HiWAAY.net" > wrote:
> > The television news report is not clear on this, so I will ask the > > question directly: Were these "operators" charging a rake off of each > > pot (if it was limit poker) or an entry fee that went into the > > operator's pocket if it was no-limit tournament poker? If that is the > > case, then they were operating as an "unregulated" (and unlicensed) > > casino and have no one but themselves to blame for the bust. (If they > > were raking the players, then they were asking for trouble.)
> It doesn't matter which they were doing. In TX a poker game is illegal > if anyone profits materially from it in any way other than through > winnings obtained by playing. That means the house charging for > anything in connection with the game, including rake, entry fees, > food/beverage sales, etc. It also means dealers/waitresses/etc. being > compensated in any way. There's a shitload of games like these in the > D/FW Metroplex.
I think you are right on the law, as far as it goes. Unfortunately, though, the law (despite attorney general rulings on what it means) is fairly inprecise and no one in state government wants this to go to trial. I suspect the site will get its money back as part of a plea bargain to keep it out of court, but, who knows?
This was, I believe, a general attempt by Republicans in the district attorney's office to keep their jobs, unfortunately for them, though, it didn't work and the Republicans are out in Dallas county. Maybe now, if the raids continue, they'll raid the American Legion which has the longest running, best publicized, illegal game in Dallas.
Fortiter ille facit, qui miser esse potest
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On Nov 27, 9:43 am, hdjones <horndogjo...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I think you are right on the law, as far as it goes. Unfortunately, though, the > law (despite attorney general rulings on what it means) is fairly inprecise
How so? The law on this matter reads pretty clearly.
> and no one in state government wants this to go to trial.
Says who?
> I suspect the site will get its money back as part of a plea bargain to keep it out of court, but, who > knows?
There have been quite a few poker game busts in Dallas, so it's not like this is uncharted waters.
> This was, I believe...
So far you comments have been heavy on belief, but sorely lacking in knowledge and facts.
> > Poker players don't shoot back, so, like all bullies and cowards Dallas Swat > > loves this action. > Are you under the impression that SWAT determines Dallas PD policy, as > well as how/where they are used?
As has been shown numerous times, without goons to do their dirty work, despots wouldn't succeed. I was just following orders is, in my opinion, not an excuse...
Fortiter ille facit, qui miser esse potest
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On Nov 27, 10:16 am, hdjones <horndogjo...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> As has been shown numerous times, without goons to do their dirty work, despots > wouldn't succeed. I was just following orders is, in my opinion, not an > excuse...
It's a little early in the day for such moronic invocations of Godwin's law, isn't it?
> > I think you are right on the law, as far as it goes. Unfortunately, though, > > the > > law (despite attorney general rulings on what it means) is fairly inprecise
> How so? The law on this matter reads pretty clearly.
is the general law, anyone who wants can decide how clear it is.
most of the reasoning behind raids, etc. has nothing to do with how the law is written, rather it has to do with the Texas attorney general gi ing opinons on what the law passed by the legislature means. Most of the poker law has not, if my source is correct, been ruled on by the courts for the reason I stated...
> > I suspect the site will get its money back as part of a plea bargain to keep > > it out of court, but, who > > knows?
> There have been quite a few poker game busts in Dallas, so it's not > like this is uncharted waters.
Actually, in the latest round, there have been four busts, out of several dozen rooms. The rooms which got busted were fairly marginal operations, though, to be fair, several rooms volunatrily closed down after the first bust. The first room busted, this past summer, Aces, is still up in the air, and, if the fellow who owned it isn't lying to me, what is happening is pretty much what I said is happening.
For someone who doesn't know anything about a situation, you try to sound pretty authoritative, though your observations are, if I may use your phrase, moronic and uninformed.
Where do bozos like you go at night?
Fortiter ille facit, qui miser esse potest
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