Fall of Houston's $22M Illegal Gambling Empire

Major Headlines, Fun Houston Events This Weekend, & So Much More!

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H-TOWN Crew
April 28, 2025

H-TOWN HEADLINES

  • 🍗 Former Turkey Leg Hut Owner Indicted in 2020 Bar Explosion Case: Lyndell “Lynn” Price, former co-owner of Houston’s Turkey Leg Hut, has been federally indicted for orchestrating the 2020 arson of Bar 5015, owned by his former business partner. Price allegedly recruited two men to ignite the bar, causing over $750,000 in damages. He also faces charges tied to the arson of a stolen car earlier that year. If convicted, Price could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He remains in federal custody.

  • 💵 Texas Senate Blocks Houston’s ‘Uplift Harris’ Universal Basic Income Program: The Texas Senate has passed legislation that would block cities and counties from using public funds for universal basic income programs like Harris County’s ‘Uplift Harris,’ which provides $500 monthly payments to 1,900 low-income families. Supporters of the bill argue it protects taxpayer dollars and ensures government accountability, while opponents criticize it as an attack on local authority and a lifeline for vulnerable residents. The bill now moves to the Texas House for consideration. If signed into law, it could force Harris County officials to end or restructure the program.

  • 🚔 Deputy Fatally Strikes Suspect After High-Speed Chase in Harris County: A suspect fleeing at speeds up to 140 mph during a pursuit in northeast Harris County was fatally struck by a deputy’s vehicle after exiting his own car and attempting to flee on foot. The chase began after deputies tried to pull the suspect over for a traffic violation. After crashing his car, the suspect ran across a dark roadway and was hit by an oncoming deputy’s patrol vehicle. The deputy immediately stopped to render aid, but the suspect died at the scene. The incident is under investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers. 

NATIONAL HEADLINES

  • 🚧 Murder Charges Filed in Vancouver Festival Attack: Authorities have filed murder charges against a suspect who drove a vehicle into a street festival in Vancouver, resulting in 11 fatalities, including a child. The incident has been classified as a deliberate attack.

  • 🚨 Over 100 Arrested in Colorado Springs Nightclub Raid: A federal operation led to the arrest of more than 100 individuals, including undocumented immigrants and active-duty military personnel, at an illegal after-hours nightclub in Colorado Springs. Authorities seized firearms and various narcotics during the raid.

MARKET REPORT

  • 📉 Emerging Markets Face Pressure from Rising U.S. Yields: As U.S. Treasury yields climb, investors are shifting funds to higher-yielding U.S. assets, leading to capital outflows from emerging markets and raising concerns about financial stability in those regions.

  • 🦅 ServiceNow Shares Soar on Earnings Beat: ServiceNow’s stock jumped after the company reported earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, highlighting strong demand for its digital workflow solutions.

  • 💰 Alphabet Reports Strong Free Cash Flow: Alphabet’s latest earnings revealed better-than-expected free cash flow, driven by increased capital expenditures and robust advertising revenue, signaling healthy financial momentum.

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Houston’s Illegal Game Room Empire: Bribes, Raids, and a $22 Million Criminal Network

In one of the most sweeping federal crackdowns in Houston’s history, authorities have dismantled a sprawling illegal gambling empire that operated for years in plain sight. The investigation, dubbed “Operation Double Down,” culminated in early April 2025 with coordinated raids on 45 locations—including 30 illicit game rooms—across the Houston area. These raids led to the arrests of 14 individuals, with two more still at large, and the seizure of more than $16 million in cash, assets, and bank funds. At the center of the operation is 61-year-old Richmond resident Nizar Ali, who is accused of masterminding a $22 million network of illegal gambling dens, laundering money through 25 bank accounts, and attempting to bribe what he believed was a corrupt Houston police officer with over $500,000 in cash.

The bribery scheme is particularly alarming. Ali allegedly paid an undercover officer—posing as a corrupt HPD insider—weekly sums that escalated from $1,000 to as much as $40,000 per meeting. Over the course of 34 meetings, Ali handed over more than $560,000 in cash, believing the officer could shield his game rooms from law enforcement scrutiny. Ali even offered the officers’ “protection services” to rival operators, charging them fees for supposed immunity. When agents raided Ali’s upscale Richmond home, they discovered nearly $1 million in cash, some hidden in a floor safe, others stuffed in drawers and shoeboxes—one bundle labeled with a sticky note indicating it was meant for the officer.

Beyond the bribery, the operation’s scale is staggering. Authorities seized 2,000 illegal slot machines, 8 firearms, 100 Rolex watches, and luxury vehicles including BMWs and a Range Rover. Ali’s network employed 31 undocumented immigrants as armed security guards and staff, many of whom were arrested on immigration and firearms charges. The game rooms, often disguised in nondescript buildings, drew concerns from residents who associated them with increased crime, drug activity, and prostitution. While no specific violent crimes were linked to the operation, officials emphasized the broader community impact of such illicit enterprises. As the legal proceedings unfold, Houstonians are left grappling with the revelation of a vast criminal network operating in their midst and the unsettling notion that corruption can infiltrate even the institutions meant to protect them.

58th Houston International Film Festival: April 24th - May 4th
Experience one of the oldest independent film festivals in the world, showcasing a wide range of films from around the globe.

Crossing Water at Monterroso Gallery: April 28th - May 3rd
An art exhibition exploring themes of migration and identity.

The Wiz – Broadway Revival: April 29th - May 4th
Enjoy the modern revival of the classic musical “The Wiz,” featuring innovative choreography and set designs.

Barnstorm Dance Fest: April 29th - May 3rd
Barnstorm Dance Fest celebrates the breadth, depth, and diversity of dance in Greater Houston and beyond. The festival showcases the vibrancy of dance in Houston and provides audiences with an exciting sampling of dance genres.

Dining in the Dark – A Unique Blindfolded Dining Experience: May 2nd - 16th
Enhance your senses with a unique dining experience in complete darkness.

Monster Truck Wars: May 17th
Experience thrilling monster truck action with family-friendly entertainment.

DreamCon 2025: May 30th - June 1st
A convention celebrating gaming, anime, and pop culture, featuring panels, cosplay, and vendor booths.

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