HOUSTON (AP) - Nine people are facing charges after officers raided two poker clubs in Houston as part of an organized crime investigation.
Houston police raided the two poker clubs on Wednesday. Those arrested were charged with money laundering as part of a two-year investigation.
While gambling is illegal in Texas, such clubs have cited a gray area in state law they say lets them operate if they don’t take a percentage of winnings.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office has declined to say if such poker clubs are illegal, leaving it up local agencies to decide whether to go after such businesses.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said her office in Houston will pursue felony charges of money laundering and engaging in organized crime against the owners and operators of such clubs.
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