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Illegal gambling ring busted in Phoenix

Posted at 3:27 PM, Mar 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-08 20:37:10-05

A Phoenix casino-style gambling operation was shut down last week by police and three people were arrested.

Court documents show that undercover officers penetrated an illegal gambling operation being conducted in a building near 27th avenue and Bethany Home Road.

Police arrested 35-year-old Heather Shaffer, 34-year-old Ernest Anthony Chavez and 24-year-old Nicole Jeanmarie Ramirez.

Police say that on September 21st they contacted several customers coming out of the facility who reportedly admitted to internet gambling inside.

Between December and February, police sent undercover officers inside to observe the operation. Police said the employees took the officers' money in exchange for credits to play sweepstakes, slots and other casino-style games. All the games paid out money for winnings.

The facility had at least 25 computer stations and a system that accounted for customers' winnings and losses.

In case you're wondering, the undercover officers won $7.80, according to the police report.

All three suspects are facing charges of illegal control of an enterprise, managing a gambling operation and possession of gambling records and devices.