PHOENIX - Authorities have arrested 31 people and seized millions of dollars in cash, cars and property as part of four illegal gambling rings.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said undercover deputies had infiltrated the rings operating in Phoenix, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Bettors placed wagers over the Web, while bookies, collectors and loan sharks operated out of Phoenix-area bars and restaurants.
"When you play poker, that's for amusement," Arpaio said. "This is not for amusement. This is to make money, to make money illegally. That's what this organization is all about."
Arpaio said millions of dollars were being collected, and sometimes extorted, from bettors calling toll-free numbers and visiting online sites based in Costa Rica.
Those who couldn't pay their debts were paying interest rates as high as 51 percent.
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Threats of violence weren't uncommon, Arpaio said.
Some bettors even gave up their homes and lost their retirement funds. In smashing the gambling ring, sheriff's officials say they expect to collect $145 million in illegal assets.
Officials plan to place racketeering liens on numerous homes and businesses and freeze 120 local bank accounts.
Investigators say they believe the cash exchanges took place at several Phoenix-area bars and restaurants, but those businesses were not particpating in the gambling ring.
Edgardo Olivas, manager of Venice Ristorante Italiano, said sheriff's deputies were waiting for him when he arrived at the Ahwatukee restaurant Tuesday morning.
"I was surprised to see them," Olivas said. I sat and talked with them. All I can say is I don't know anything about it."
Those taken into custody Tuesday face charges that include the promotion of gambling, money laundering, conspiracy and extortion.
