Police say spike in illegal gaming houses linked to organized crime
Posted October 9, 2015 4:08 pm.
Last Updated October 9, 2015 5:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto police say a number of illegal gaming houses discovered in the Scarborough area could be linked to Asian gangs.
In a press conference Friday afternoon, Staff Sgt. Andrew Ecklund said that 28 illegal gaming houses and five illegal casinos have been identified in the Kennedy Road and Finch Avenue area, which has led to an increase in violence in the neighbourhood.
“People have been assaulted, brutally beaten and robbed in front of these locations,” Ecklund said, adding that officers have made three arrests during their investigation. He said that officers have also found cocaine, heroin and crystal meth.
“We are concerned for the safety of the community members who live in and around these locations,” Ecklund said. “We’re also concerned for the people who attend these illegal gaming houses.”
A gaming house is typically defined as a small location with a handful of tables or slot machines and room for 15-20 people. Gaming houses are often located in industrial areas or are disguised as social clubs.
Eckland believes the organizers are linked to organized crime within the Asian community.
“They are dangerous and they are illegal, and if anyone is caught in these gaming houses when we execute searches, they will be arrested,” Ecklund said.
