The state of Massachusetts has been conducting a gambling crackdown striving to ensure that the gambling field is preserved free from illegal activities and organizations. A total of six individuals arrested earlier this year in the Southeastern region of the state have been indicted of unlawful operation of a gaming device, money laundering, as well as conspiracy and keeping a place for registering bets.
Illicit gambling and the negative economical consequences of it are not new issues in the gaming field, as there are many jurisdictions struggling to maintain control over it and eliminate it. Regardless, measures have been taken and the results are visible. Massachusetts State Police have dedicated the months of May through July to raids seizing considerable amount of cash.
As many as four individuals from Fall River were arrested for the management of an illegal gaming ring. The kingpin of this organization Clifford Wilson, 56 is from Dighton, whereas John Camara, 59 hails from Somerset. These six nabbed criminals are aged ranging from 44 to 75 years, all responsible for the illegal operation of Televend, based in Swansea.
Illegal Gambling Operation Takes Advantage of State
Upon the state authorities raids, it was revealed that the organization was in fact illegally providing businesses in the Southeastern Massachusetts region with slot devices ready for operation. However, the locations were operating without the mandatory gaming license issued by the regulator overseeing the field. The devices which were provided by Televend resembled typical slot machines which could be found in any Las Vegas-style casino venue.
However, in this case, they were in direct breach of the regulation, as they compete with the existing Massachusetts State Lottery and its offerings. Players willing to give their luck a try were also easily confused to use the illegal slot devices, instead of those managed by the lottery, thus harming the state economy. Revenue generated through the state lottery and its games is reinvested in the local infrastructure, as well as various pension funds. In the meantime, illegally generated gaming revenue sinks into the gray area of criminal rings failing to benefit the community.
In this particular case, the police raids led to the bagging of some $140,000 in cash available on site of the businesses, as well as the said illegally operating slot machines. The fact that this amount of cash has been found and seized leads authorities to think that the organization has also been conducting money laundering. On a later date, the criminals would be summoned by the Boston Country Superior Court.
Previous Raids in State Seize $2.1 Million
This is not the first case when an illegal operation has been busted within the borders of the state, as it could be recalled by earlier instances of raids. The month of June brought the arrest of four residents of Westport, among them the stepson of a criminal sought by the police for a 1980 murder. They were indicted for their illegal operation resembling a family-run business.
Stanley Webb along with his daughter, her husband, and their associate were nabbed for the operation of Nutel Communications. Following a detailed inspection of its operation and thorough investigation, Massachusetts State Police was able to conduct the largest raid up to that point. As many as $2.1 million and some 130 slot machines were confiscated, but what should be pointed is that said devices were intentionally deceiving players.
The illegal organization aimed to capitalize on players utilizing the state lottery machines by placing their illegal devices right next to them in gas stations, sports bars, and social clubs. The kingpin of this organization is the stepson of Donald Eugeen Webb, a Dartmouth man, whose body was discovered in July 2017 buried in the proximity of his wife’s home. He had been wanted for the murder of 1980 Pennsylvania Police Chief Gregory Adams. Arrested individuals were set to appear at the Suffolk Superior Court.
