Bexar County deputies served search warrants at seven suspected illegal gambling operations before sunrise on Wednesday, Sheriff Javier Salazar said. Investigators believe the businesses were working together as part of an organized criminal operation. One of the locations was the Silver Room Game Room, in a strip mall off West Avenue. The other six were in the 6400 block of Callaghan Road, the 8800 block of Broadway, the 3200 block of Wurzbach Road, the 1300 block of Clower, the 9200 block of Culebra Road and the 1900 block of Dollarhide.
The Sheriff's Office Organized Crime Unit detained about 23 people, and Salazar said about 13 were expected to be jailed. Charges include felony drug offenses, outstanding misdemeanor warrants, keeping a gambling place and engaging in organized criminal activity. Investigators seized large amounts of money and an estimated 500 to 600 gaming machines.
Salazar said several of the businesses operated under the name "777." Deputies had previously raided a 777 establishment on Hildebrand Avenue near San Pedro Avenue, which investigators have linked to Wednesday's operation. Salazar said some businesses gave out Pokémon cards or sports trading cards as prizes, which could be exchanged for cash at a neighboring business. He said the operators were using this system to get around Texas gambling laws. Salazar said deputies will keep targeting the businesses whenever they reopen.