The Oxnard Police Department has launched a sweeping offensive against local retail shops that have been operating as clandestine gambling dens. Following a months-long undercover investigation, authorities raided several businesses across the city that were allegedly using front storefronts to mask unlicensed betting operations.
According to investigators, these businesses appeared to be standard retail shops but were actually equipped with internet-connected devices specifically configured for illegal gambling.
The department has emphasized that these houses are more than just a regulatory nuisance as they are frequently linked to broader criminal activity, including money laundering and narcotics.
Owners caught in the dragnet are facing severe consequences as the Oxnard PD works with city officials to hit these operators with criminal charges that could lead to potential jail time.
Furthermore, police have confiscated specialized computer equipment, monitors, and thousands of dollars in suspected gambling proceeds.
The city is also moving to permanently pull the business licenses of any shop found hosting these backroom casinos, effectively shutting them down for good.
The department is urging residents to remain vigilant and report any retail locations that appear to be hosting large groups of people around computer terminals for non-retail purposes.