Police raided an alleged illegal casino in Greater Melbourne, arresting twenty-one people. With a minimum AU$8,000 buy-in, up to fifty people attended nightly. A 35-year-old man, the probable operator of the casino, will go to court to face charges for conducting and advertising unauthorised gambling. Charges relating to liquor, drugs and firearms will also be presented.
Live table games with an AU$8,000 buy-in were purportedly played without a license. The secret casino operated without a license.
©Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke/Pixabay
Inspector Scott Colson said, “The Westgate Divisional Response Unit has been running an ongoing investigation into the activities of this clandestine casino, where we will allege a range of criminal offences, including drug trafficking and firearm possession, have been committed.”
Secret Casino Operator Arrested
The man pegged as operating the casino is unnamed, but police have been quoted as tying him to a gang network. Information has not been released regarding the complicity of the owner of the industrial estate, where the unauthorised gambling was held. Operating without a gambling license in Victoria comes with a potential two-year gaol term, according to the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.
It is unlikely that only one person ran the live table games, handled the gambling money, and operated the clandestine casino. However, only one man will be summoned for the charge of conducting unauthorised gambling. It is said that up to 50 people a night frequented the illegal casino, but only 21 arrests were made on the night of the raid.
VIPER Taskforce Strikes Again
Victoria’s VIPER Taskforce, which spear-headed the raid, has frequently made the headlines since it was re-started in July 2022. The Taskforce combines specialists from a large range of different police units to fight serious and organised crime.
The sting was carried out by a number of different units among the authorities: local detectives, the VIPER Taskforce, the State Liquor Unit and the Public Order Response Team were involved in executing the warrant. The Dog Squad and Drone Unit also assisted in the bust. No injuries were reported during the arrests.
During the search of the alleged illegal casino, police found and confiscated gambling equipment, including a table, a large quantity of Australian currency, alcohol and illicit drugs. Some patrons of the casino were said to be in possession of drugs. Police believe illegal drug trafficking occurred on-site. Casino-goers will also be charged with consuming alcohol on unlicensed premises.
News reports tout the secret casino as “high-end” due to the sizable buy-in of AU$8,000 to play. Police believe the cash taken during the raid will deal a blow to the gang/s involved. Westgate Police Division Inspector Scott Colson stated, “We’ve put a stop to a large amount of money ending up in the hands of the wrong people, which could have then been used for further criminal offending in the community.”
Anyone with information on the illegal casino is urged to call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
