Illegal Gambling Operation Busted By Undercover Operation

Watsonville police raided an East Lake Village business Thursday that is suspected of being an illegal gambling operation, authorities reported.

The Urban PCS store at 984 E. Lake Ave. reportedly had 38 high-end, touch-screen computer stations that were running what appeared to be "slot machines," police reported. 

Undercover officers infiltrated the business repeatedly over the past two months to collect evidence that culminated when a judge signed a search warrant this week. Watsonville police and agents from the state Department of Justice served the search warrant Thursday.

Urban PCS had a Watsonville city business license that registered the store as a cellular phone accessory retailer. However, police said they found just a small display of cell phone cases and pre-paid cellular phones. The majority of the store was dedicated to the computer stations. 

The state Department of Justice gaming officials have been shutting down operations similar to Urban PCS throughout California because they allegedly violate state gambling laws, police said. The operation offers "sweepstakes" but the games are illegal.

There were two managers and about 20 patrons in the business at the time of Thursday's raid. The customers were questioned, but not arrested. The managers were ticketed for possession of slot machines and offering slot machines for play, police said.

Investigators are still working to track down the owner of the business, who reportedly has an address in address in Cape Coral, Florida.

Police offered this resource to past customers of Urban PCS: "If you think you may have a gambling problem, help is available. One resource is www.gamblersanonymous.org."

The Register Pajaronian had this report of the raid, including photos. Read it here.