In one of the most extensive investigations in Canadian County in recent years, the Sheriff's Office helped the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in seizing hundreds of illegal slot machines, firearms and over three-quarters of a million dollars in cash from illegal gambling.
Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards said his department conducted a sweep of some businesses and establishments through Federal warrants in El Reno on Wednesday, March 6. He said they seized over 250 slot machines from two bars in El Reno, Gilmore's Pub and Charlie B's, the El Reno VFW and Elks lodge. He said they also seized machines from a warehouse at Manning and Highway 66 and from a residence on S. Banner Road.
Over 250 illegal firearms, including automatic weapons, were also seized, primarily from the warehouse and residence.
Although there were no arrests made in the seizures, Edwards said he expects Federal indictments to be handed down on individuals that not only possessed and played the machines, but those who knew about the illegal activity and did nothing about it.
"The last time the Feds busted someone for illegal gambling was in 1992, so this is something that has gone entirely unchecked for 21 years," Edwards said. "My focus in this investigation is on the public corruption of those who held public offices and turned a blind eye or deaf ear to these activities. This includes state, county and local officials."
The Canadian County Sheriff's Office teamed up with other agencies such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the El Reno Police Department in the investigation.
"This has been an ongoing investigation for about the last four years," Edwards said. "The Feds took the lead in the investigation and have been doing the majority of the work on it, but my department has assisted them in manpower and in investigations."
Edwards said illegal gambling is a county-wide problem. He said other establishments in other municipalities in the county may be involved in illegal gambling, but did not release any specific details because he said it could jeopardize the investigation.
"Illegal gambling is when you either possess or play a slot machine that is outside of a tribal gambling establishment," Edwards said. "It isn't just slot machines either. You cannot play an arcade game if you are playing for money. If a business gives you money for winnings, that is illegal."
For the past few years, Edwards said undercover agents went into to several establishments and received money from gambling.
He said he wants every person involved in the activity to face the consequences.
"We can't have illegal gambling here in Canadian County as long as we have had without anything being done about it," he said. "This has become an accepted culture in our county, but it is against the law. I want the Feds to pursue everyone that has been involved and prosecute them."
The punishment if convicted of illegal gambling ranges from misdemeanors to felonies.
According to Oklahoma State Statute 21-946, it is a felony for any keeper or manager of a house, room or place where prohibited games are taking place to continue.
"This is the largest investigation my agency has been a part of," he said. "It has taken thousands of hours of investigating and it could go on for another year or two."
Investigations of illegal gambling have spread to surrounding counties, including Caddo County.
Just last week, an Anadarko business owner and his wife were taken into custody after federal agents say they were involved an in illegal multi-million dollar gambling operation. According to the federal search warrant, the owner of the company supplied gambling software to internet casinos in Florida.
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