A SWAT raid busted an illegal gambling arcade following numerous complaints about violence in northeast Charlotte, CMPD said.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The manager of a northeast Charlotte arcade is facing over a dozen charges after Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police seized a gun, cash and illegal gambling machines during a raid.
CMPD’s SWAT unit raided the Galaxy 1 Arcade on North Tryon Street in northeast Charlotte, which is just outside of NoDa. Investigators say they sized one weapon and illegal gaming equipment, as well as cash. The manager faces 17 charges related to gambling and two other employees were cited for working as unlicensed security. CMPD hasn’t identified the manager.
Numerous community complaints prompted CMPD’s investigation, detectives said. People living nearby raised concerns about gambling and violent crime connected to the arcade.
This is at least the third major raid of an illegal gambling arcade in Charlotte this year, including a statewide bust of numerous gambling arcades across North Carolina. Over 800 charges were filed statewide after raids at numerous “fish arcades” in April. Detectives seized 117 gambling machines, two guns and approximately $118,000 in cash from locations on Albemarle Road and Providence Road during that operation.
“These fish arcades and other illegal gambling locations are havens for criminal activity,” CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said. “Often the most vulnerable members of our communities are targeted to gamble at these locations. We are very thankful for our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to help us send a message that we will not tolerate these establishments preying on our citizens.”
