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- Five arrested and four search warrants served
- Search warrants served on establishment that called itself “premier private poker club in the Phoenix area
- Poker Union championed cause of grassroots trade organization Poker Players Alliance
- Charges include operating an illegal gaming facility, promotion of illegal gambling, and racketeering
Arizona Department of Gaming investigators and Phoenix police served four search warrants linked to an illegal poker establishment late Thursday with five arrests made.
Authorities say two of the warrants served Thursday evening were for Phoenix businesses and two other warrants were served at residences in Glendale.
They say those arrested in connection to the businesses will be facing multiple charges.
The investigation into what was billed as “the premiere private poker club in the Phoenix area” had begun nearly a year ago, according to authorities.
The targeted establishment, Poker Union, held weekly freerolls and also sent players to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
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It was supportive of industry trade organization The Poker Players Alliance as per its website:
We will champion the cause of the Poker Players Alliance that poker is a sport; a game of skill more than mere chance or dumb luck, and not gambling in the same vein as other casino games where the house has an active stake and decidedly advantageous odds.
Poker was played in Arizona long before casinos took over the game and claimed it as their own. It is time we take back what has always been ours and reclaim a game enjoyed around the world by men and women of every age, race and creed.
"During the joint operation several people were arrested in connection to the business and will be facing multiple charges including operating an illegal gaming facility, promotion of illegal gambling, and racketeering," Arizona Department of Gaming spokeswoman Amanda Jacinto said in a news alert.
She went on to explain what made this particular establishment illegal.
"One of the things that made it illegal -- versus your normal poker game that you might have at your own home -- is the business was profiting off of the folks that were in here playing poker," Jacinto explained. "No matter win or lose, the business would typically take a portion of the money."
Jacinto said the business could have been raking in as much as $10,000 a week -- cash.
Those involved have yet to be identified.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
