Gambling is almost always illegal in Texas. There are three casinos on tribal land where federal laws, not state laws, apply. Besides that, you can wager on horse races and greyhound races by going to the racetrack and placing your bet. Bingo games and raffles are also legal as long as the proceeds go to charity. Beyond that, simply placing a bet on a poker game, a roulette wheel, or similar is a Class C misdemeanor, and the criminal penalties associated with illegal gambling only get more severe from there. In the worst cases, gambling is just the tip of the iceberg with financial crime charges. You might get charged with conspiracy if you are part of an illegal gambling ring, even if it is only four neighbors who gather on Friday nights to play poker games. Things get even worse if you get money laundering charges for attempting to conceal the proceeds of your illegal gambling operation. The prosecution can only convict you if they can persuade the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that your role in the illegal gambling operation was what they say it was.
If you are facing criminal charges related to illegal gambling, contact a Texas white collar crime lawyer.
Police Find Evidence of Illegal Gambling at Three Locations
For almost a year, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies collected evidence of an illegal gambling operation in and around Lubbock. They eventually presented their evidence to the courts to obtain search warrants to search the places where they suspected that the illegal gambling was taking place, and where they believed that the people planning the operation kept assets that they had bought with the proceeds of the illegal gambling.
Three searches yielded nine arrests in total, and the following items were recovered:
● 31 gaming machines
● Two vehicles that they believe the defendants bought with the proceeds of the gambling operation
● $15,000 in cash
It may be fair to say that the individuals who were arrested in this operation are likely incredibly stressed and scared of what may come. This is especially true with such intense police involvement and with so much time invested in recovering evidence.
Being on the receiving end of an arrest can feel like a dire situation with no way out. It is understandable to have such emotions, but the good news is that with the help of an experienced attorney, you don’t have to look at your legal circumstances as unwinnable or those where you will not be able to secure a favourable outcome.
If you face charges for conspiracy to commit illegal gambling and money laundering, you can secure an acquittal by showing that the prosecution’s accusations against you are only partially true.
Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC About Criminal Defense Cases
A Dallas criminal defense lawyer can help you if you are facing criminal charges for conspiracy to commit financial crimes, such as money laundering or operating an illegal game room. Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC in Dallas, Texas to discuss your case.