Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioA long-running undercover operator led to the seizure of over $1.5 million in cash, 81 gambling machines, and six arrests in Galveston County, TX. The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Organized Crime Task Force executed search warrants on August 29 at the “Mardi Gras” game room in Dickinson and the home of the alleged ringleader, Nancy Herndon, in Texas City.
Herndon, 64, admitted to being the sole owner of the illegal gambling establishment. She faces felony charges, including Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and First‑Degree Money Laundering.
During the raids, authorities seized 81 illegal gambling machines from “Mardi Gras” and $42,449 in cash. Additionally, they confiscated Herndon’s residence and the $1.52 million in money they found inside.
In addition to Herndon, five other women face charges of engaging in organized criminal activity: Summer Gilliland (56), Irene Salazar (53), Angela Coffman (54), and Michelle Gilliland (64). According to a Facebook post by the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, charges have also been filed against Maria Anaya (58). She remains wanted on an active warrant.
A Spike of Illegal Gambling Busts in Texas
Raids by Texas authorities have increased this year, tackling illegal gambling operations in multiple locations.
Just a few days prior, authorities in Bexar County raided Royal Room 777, seizing $67,350 and 60 gambling machines. They arrested four employees on felony charges, while 18 patrons received fines and face misdemeanor gambling counts.
In April, marking one of the largest operations in Texas history, federal agents seized over $9 million in cash and assets. They included 2,000 slot machines, houses, and luxury vehicles. According to reports, the ringleader, Nizar Ali, allegedly created a $22 million illegal enterprise over the past five years.
Two more busts followed in May. In the Marshall/Longview area, they confiscated 70 machines, along with cash and methamphetamine. In Corpus Christi, a raid on the Lucky Panda Game Room led to the confiscation of 145 machines and $26,000 in cash. Authorities also arrested four employees and issued citations for 52 patrons.
Eric Tunchez, a journalist running for a city council seat, was among those arrested.
Florida Crackdowns Mirror Texas Raids
The crackdown extends beyond Texas—other states, like Florida, are seeing a rise in big gambling busts, too.
In a high-profile case, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested for allegedly leading a $20 million illegal gambling and money laundering enterprise. He ran the operations through the Fusion Social Club in a tourist-heavy area of Kissimmee.
The most recent bust included 428 illegal gambling machines and over $540,000 in cash from six businesses and a residence in Cape Coral. Just a few weeks earlier, authorities seized 249 illegal slots and nearly $200,000 in Port Richey.
Other notable seizures include the confiscation of $900,000 in cash and over 1,000 illegal slot machines from a multi-county South Florida ring. Meanwhile, near The Villages, a bust resulted in the discovery of 190 machines and $349,000 in cash.
