Texas Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling with More than a Dozen Raids

State law enforcement and federal agencies across the United States constantly combat a range of crimes, including illegal gambling. Often conducted in collaboration with state regulators, such raids focus on discontinuing the operations of illegal gambling establishments that are often associated with gambling harm and in some cases even violent crimes. In one such operation across southeast Houston, Texas, a heavy police presence was observed on Tuesday, as per local media reports.

Massive Operation Affects Businesses in Houston

Details on the matter so far are scarce. However, a report released by KHOU 11 suggests that a total of 17 Houston-area venues were impacted by law enforcement raids. The massive operation comes amid an investigation into public corruption, as well as potential illegal gambling.

The operation is the result of a multi-agency effort, involving FBI Houston, officers with the Houston Police Department, the US Marshals Service, the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office. Also participating are the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Houston Fire Department, the FBI confirmed.

“FBI Houston, alongside our partners from the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office, Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, the US Marshals Service, Houston Fire Department, Houston Police Department, and Harris County Sheriff’s Office, are conducting a sweeping court-authorized operation at multiple locations throughout the Houston area today,“

reads a statement released by the FBI

According to the FBI, the large-scale operation was authorized by court and affects businesses across Houston. The Federal agency explained that the operation poses no threat to the safety of the public.

However, it added that an increased presence of law enforcement will be observed. Moreover, the FBI explained: “Due to the ongoing nature of the federal investigation, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.”

Fight Against Unlawful Gambling Continues

Earlier this week, West Texas A&M University confirmed it blocked the access to online gambling via University-owned devices and internet networks. The confirmation followed a report into problem gambling among students that was estimated at 6%, far higher than the nation’s average problem gambling rate of 3%.

As a result, the University took the decision to completely block access to iGaming websites, restricting students, faculty members and other staff from accessing such outlets via its networks or WT-owned devices like laptops, computers or other network-connected electronics.

This summer, an illegal gambling site became a hotspot for other unlawful activities, including a robbery and a shooting that left one person injured and one person dead. Three men were detained over suspicion of their involvement in the robbery and shooting that had taken place in Dallas back in July.