Techme101.com

The Cape Coral Police Department (CCPD) has conducted one of the largest illegal gambling raids of its kind, seizing over $500,000.
After several months of investigation, the CCPD, in collaboration with the Florida Gaming Commission (FGC), searched six casinos and one residence under suspicion of illegal gambling casino activity. The department named it ‘one of the first — and largest — operations of its kind in Southwest Florida’. It saw the mobilization of more than 90 members of staff across the seven locations.
The businesses searched were found to target vulnerable populations, especially elderly people struggling with gambling addictions. The investigations revealed that the casinos were using illegal machines that were deliberately designed to result in consistent losses, exploiting those playing, especially those at greater risk of addiction. Evidence was also found of further illegal activity, such as trafficking narcotics.

A large quantity of money and illegal machines were found during the raid. Image credit: Cape Coral Police Department
Illegal gambling investigation ongoing
During the searches, the CCPD investigators seized more than $540,000 in cash and 428 gambling machines. No arrests were made, but the department noted that multiple people of interest were identified. The investigation is determined to still be ongoing, with continued support from the Florida Gaming Commission.
“This morning’s operation mobilized upwards of 90 members of our staff, reflecting the size and scope of the effort,” said the CCPD in a statement. “The Cape Coral Police Department extends its gratitude to the City of Cape Coral for their continued support in eliminating these illegal establishments.
“We also recognize the Florida Gaming Commission, whose partnership has been instrumental throughout the course of this investigation.”
This comes as the latest data shows that nearly one-third of the US gambling market consists of illicit gaming. While much of this activity centers around online gambling, the AGA made special mention of unregistered or unlawful casino machines, making up a substantial sector of the market.
Featured image: Cape Coral Police Department
The post Cape Coral Police Department seizes over $500K in illegal gambling casino raid appeared first on ReadWrite.

Flutter Entertainment has confirmed it will shut down Junglee real-money gaming operations in India following legislative changes in the country. 
India’s parliament voted to adopt the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, meaning that money games, including games of skill, have been outlawed. 
Flutter CEO Peter Jackson said he was “extremely disappointed” by the development, while the online gambling giant criticised the “exceptionally short timeframe” from the bill being introduced to parliament to the Presidential assent just two days later.
Overall, the update represents a threat to the wider fantasy gaming sector, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government taking action due to the risk of financial harm to users. 
Flutter has detailed that Junglee has stopped its real-money activity, with more than 1,100 workers employed by the subsidiary firm.
The parent company of Paddy Power and Betfair announced a round of job cuts in the United Kingdom in June, and there will be concerns of what impact the new law in India will have on Junglee. 
Law change in India will drive users to black market, says Flutter chief
Flutter added that its Indian operations were expected to record around $200 million in revenue and $50 million in earnings on adjusted EBITDA this year, but no latest forecast was provided after the Junglee update. 
Company CEO Jackson stated, “I am extremely disappointed with the sudden changes to the regulatory landscape in India. 
“Over the last four years Junglee has invested significantly in its local market, building a workforce of over 1,100 employees to deliver innovative skill-based gaming products to Indian customers. Central to this has been a strategy which prioritizes consumer protections and responsible gaming. 
He continued, “We believe this change will drive customers to the unregulated market, offering limited consumer protections and providing no contribution to the local economy. We believe in regulatory frameworks that put customers first, and are evaluating options to restore skill-based games in the Indian market.”
As part of this, Flutter has vowed to consult with other parties to build support to return the 70-year-old constitutional protections for skill-based games, but that appears unlikely without a U-turn from the Modi administration.
Image credit: Flutter Entertainment / Canva
The post Flutter shuts down Junglee real-money operations in India appeared first on ReadWrite.