Texas gambling ring allegedly paid winners in Pokémon cards & silver

13 people are expected to face charges including organised criminal activity, News 4 San Antonio reports.

The hit

San Antonio sheriffs raided seven alleged illegal gambling venues that allegedly paid winners in Pokémon cards, sports memorabilia & silver instead of cash, according to GamblingNews. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office detained 23 people before sunrise on 4 November & seized 500 to 600 gaming machines, with investigators linking the businesses through a larger operation called 777, Sheriff Javier Salazar said.

Why it matters

Paying in collectibles rather than cash is an alleged workaround for Texas limits on gambling machine prizes. The cards were reportedly bought by a neighbouring business, turning prizes into cash. Authorities identified the arrangement as an attempt to disguise gambling proceeds, Salazar said.

The record

Detentions	23 people detained in the raids
Machines seized	500 to 600 gaming machines confiscated
Charges expected	13 people expected to face illegal gambling, drug & organised crime charges, according to News 4 San Antonio
Drugs found	Two women allegedly held with felony quantities of methamphetamine & heroin at the Broadway site
Separate case	Galveston raids on 29 October seized more than $2m in cash & other assets, 4 charged (Galveston County authorities)

What happens next

Watch for formal charges against the 13 people, reported by News 4 San Antonio, & whether the alleged 777 operation resurfaces at new locations, as it reportedly has before.

Sources: San Antonio Raids Reveal Illegal Pokémon Card Gambling Ring

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