San Jose police have brought a “clandestine operation” around illegal gambling to a halt, with dozens of officers descending on a warehouse space on Wednesday.
Two arrests have been made as a result of the investigation, with gambling equipment, one firearm and two stolen motorcycles recovered in the operation.
Community safer thanks to actions of officers, say police
Posting about the incident on social media, state police paid tribute to the officers involved in the incident, writing: ”These illegal activities often attract violence, fraud, and organized criminal elements, putting surrounding neighborhoods at risk,
“Great work done by Patrol Officers for their diligence and persistence, which played a key role in strengthening community safety. This is policing that truly makes a difference.”
Residents who live in the vicinity of the region spoke of their relief that the gambling den had been closed. One local business owner was quoted with KTVU-TV/Oakland: “I kind of had a feeling it was that building because you just see activity there, a lot of traffic early in the morning, late at night, people that don’t look like they’re going to work.”
San Jose second notable illegal gambling bust in California this week
The news comes after a similar operation led to the arrests of four individuals in California earlier in the week. Police in the city of Modesto raided two shop stores to uncover $27,000 in cash.
The uptick in action against illicit gambling rings is in line with comments made by the state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta last summer regarding daily fantasy sports.
He said in a legal opinion: “Laws are meant to be enforced and we expect our legal opinion to be followed and complied with.”
Gambling in California is governed by a patchwork of constitutional provisions, voter initiatives and state statutes that make it one of the most tightly controlled markets in the United States.
Casino-style gambling is largely limited to federally recognized Native American tribes operating under tribal–state compacts, while the state lottery and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing are legal and regulated. Commercial casinos are prohibited, and online casino gambling and sports betting remain illegal after voters rejected legalization efforts in 2022.
According to local authorities, around one underground casino is uncovered each year in San Jose, often involving cash-heavy operations that are vulnerable to other criminal activity. In October 2024, officers with the METRO Unit dismantled an illegal gambling and narcotics operation at a residence in the 1400 block of Meadow Glen Way.
Illegal gambling in California remains an issue, data shows
Gambling remains widespread in California even as many forms of betting are prohibited, complicating enforcement efforts like the recent warehouse bust.
According to the 2023 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), roughly one in four adults, which equates to approximately 7.2 million people, are reported having gambled in the past year, and nearly 488,000 of those respondents exhibited symptoms of problem gambling, such as financial strain or loss of control, underscoring public health concerns tied to unregulated wagering.
Tribal casinos, the state lottery and licensed cardrooms account for the bulk of legal gambling, generating billions in revenue annually, but commercial online betting and sports wagering remain illegal after voters overwhelmingly rejected a 2022 ballot measure that would have legalized mobile sports betting, with more than 8.8 million voters opposing the initiative.
Last year, California lawmakers moved to shut down online sweepstakes casinos by passing Assembly Bill 831 with unanimous support in the Legislature.
Supporters, including tribal gaming interests, said the measure was needed to strengthen consumer protections and reinforce California’s tightly regulated gambling framework, while opponents argued it curtailed one of the few forms of online gaming available to residents.
2025 poll shows gambling legalization gaining popularity on the ballot
Despite the crackdown on gambling in California, recent polls suggest legalization remains front of mind for its residents.
A Politico–Citrin Center–Possibility Lab survey of more than 1,400 registered California voters conducted in mid-2025 found that 60 % of respondents were open to legalizing sports betting, with about 25 % saying legalization was “long overdue” and 35 % saying it “might make sense” with more details. Support was somewhat higher among men (64 %) than women (55 %).
With consumer demand for legal sports wagering is increasing, it would suggest the industry remains an economic opportunity for the state, even with the failure of past ballot measures.
In 2022, voters overwhelmingly rejected competing initiatives backed by tribal casinos and national betting operators.. Proponents believe measures were sunk by voter confusion, heavy negative advertising and concerns over who would control the market and benefit from expanded gambling.
