The deck is stacked against 21 people arrested in a raid on an alleged illegal casino operating late-night gaming tables and an unlicensed bar out of a factory in Melbourne's suburbs.
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Gambling at these tables required an $8000 minimum buy-in, police said.
And the alleged casino was welcoming as many as 50 guests to their weekly games in Truganina, in suburbs west of Melbourne CBD.
Police said patrons were allegedly found with drugs in their possession during the August 24 raids.
The alleged casino operator, a 35-year-old Truganina man, is expected to be charged with conducting and advertising unauthorised gambling, selling liquor without a licence and having and consuming liquor on unlicensed premises.
Alleged patrons are expected to be charged with being inside an unauthorised gambling premises, consuming liquor on unlicensed premises and some drug possession offences.
This comes after a police shut down an alleged illegal casino in Notting Hill, a suburb in Melbourne's south east on August 2.
Police said 10 people were found gambling illegally in the Notting Hill warehouse and a further 12 people were watching on from the unlicensed bar.
"If you are involved in any kind of organised criminal activity, make no mistake, we have our eyes on you," Inspector Scott Colson said.
Conducting unauthorised gambling carries a penalty of two years imprisonment or a $192,000 fine, police said.
Anyone with information about illegal gambling should contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or by submitting a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Help is available:
You can get immediate assistance by calling the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for the Courier, dedicated to uncovering the stories that shape the city. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
