61 arrested in Toronto poker club raid
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A late-night raid led to the arrest of 61 people at the Thornhill Social Club in Toronto, Canada on Thursday.
Law enforcement officials had been alerted to the existence of poker games at the club after an armed robbery there last November, and months of investigation led to the execution of a search warrant. Gambling tables, decks of cards, poker chips and cash were confiscated in the raid.
The 61 accused were arrested, issued with promises to appear in court on December 20, and released. Eight were charged with running a common gambling house while the remainder were charged with being in same. One person was also charged with possession of cocaine.
Texas Hold’em is “an epidemic,” said Detective Emilio DiPoce, who blamed televised poker for the increase in the game’s popularity and rise in illegal playing.
