Undercover police arrest 18 in raid on JBR casino

DUBAI // Police say they have arrested a gambling ring operating a casino from a car park at Jumeirah Beach Residence.

Three people were arrested by Dubai Police for allegedly running operations, and another 15 for gambling.

Maj Rashid Saleh, the head of the financial crimes department, said police started investigating the area after a tip-off.

The casino, which was in the underground shops at JBR, was licensed as a playing centre. It had 35 gambling machines and poker tables.

Customers could buy tokens for Dh1,000 to start a game and would receive vouchers when winning, to be traded for money with a cashier.

"After verifying the information we sent out undercover police to catch the perpetrators red-handed," said Maj Saleh.

On April 17, a team of seven investigators went to the casino to carry out a sting operation.

"The officers had more than Dh50,000 on them with known serial numbers to have as evidence," said Maj Saleh.

The team went to the casino about 9pm and when one officer won a voucher after about two hours, they made the arrests.

The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution.

wissa@thenational.ae