Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Betting Pools, Poker
Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Betting Pools, Poker
ALBUQUERQUE — State authorities are cracking down on illegal gambling, from a Super Bowl betting pool in Albuquerque to a high-stakes poker game in southern New Mexico.
Seven people were arrested over the weekend in Hobbs after agents with the state Department of Public Safety’s Special Investigations Division raided an illegal poker game.
“This wasn’t your friendly penny-ante game. This is serious money,” said special agent Lou Mallion.
The Special Investigations Division received a tip in January that Dennis Barcuch was allegedly conducting illegal gambling at his home.
Agent Jason Daugherty was given a flier advertising poker games at the home. Using the name Lance, he contacted the organizer and was invited to last Saturday’s game.
A Roswell mounted patrol trooper posing as Lance showed up at the game, where a $100 buy-in fee was collected from him. After receiving a signal from the trooper, authorities moved in.
Authorities said the games had been going on for about six months.
Barcuch, Donovan Pallanes, Rosa Lynn Stact, Eric Gray, Grady King, Alfred Therwhagnler and Michael Bostick were arrested and charged with commercial gambling.
In Albuquerque, undercover agents with the state Gaming Control Board Enforcement Division received a tip that a local retailer had a betting pool for the Super Bowl.
Two days before the game, agents entered The Egg Store and saw the pool posted by the cash register. One hundred participants paid $2 per square for a chance to win $100 at halftime and $100 at the end of the game.
No charges were filed, but the case was still under investigation.
Agents said sports betting pools and participation in pools are illegal activities under state law.
The state Gaming Control Board has also reached a settlement over the seizure of three illegal slot machines from an Indiana company during an October swap meet in Clovis.
Homier Distributing did not admit any violation of state law but agreed to forfeit the machines and pay a $15,000 fine, according to the board.
