Bexar County deputies executed 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. Deputies also seized large amounts of money and an estimated 500 to 600 gaming machines across the seven locations.
One of the targeted sites was the Silver Room Game Room, in a strip mall off West Avenue. The Sheriff's Office also named locations on Callaghan Road, Broadway, Wurzbach Road, Clower, Culebra Road and Dollarhide. Deputies detained about 23 people. Salazar said about 13 were expected to be jailed on charges that include felony drug offenses, outstanding misdemeanor warrants, keeping a gambling place and engaging in organized criminal activity.
Salazar said several of the businesses operated under the same name, "777." He said deputies previously raided a 777 establishment on Hildebrand Avenue that investigators have linked to Wednesday's operation. Salazar also said some operators gave out Pokémon and sports trading cards as prizes, which could be exchanged for cash at a nearby business. He said deputies will keep targeting the businesses if they reopen.