Police have charged 18 people as part of an investigation into an illegal gaming house in Richmond Hill.
A search warrant was executed Sept. 19 at 3-155 West Beaver Creek Dr. Police seized a 2018 Mercedes convertible worth $50,000, four poker tables, and $53,000 in cash. They also seized two 9-mm handguns — one from the business and one from a suspect’s vehicle — and laid a total of 22 charges, York Regional Police said in a news release.
John Margaronis, 43, of Toronto has been charged with keeping a common gaming house, unauthorized possession of a firearm knowing it is unauthorized, and a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm or with readily accessible ammunition.
Damien Campbell, 46, of Toronto has been charged with keeping a common gaming house
Sixteen others were charged with being found in a common gaming house.
Since June 2023, the York Regional Police special enforcement team has conducted 14 investigations into illegal gaming houses, resulting in 163 people being charged with 210 offences and the seizure of $14 million worth of drugs, $250,000 worth of gaming equipment and vehicles, $431,000 in cash and seven illegal firearms, police said.
“Illegal gaming houses operate in residential and commercial neighbourhoods and bring an unwanted criminal element to our community. Illegal gaming fuels organized crime and can lead to other ancillary crimes such as arsons, extortions, loan sharking, shootings and robberies,” police said.
