The force said it also launched a new project - dubbed Double Down - that aims to further clamp down on organized crime networks and prevent violence that could result from criminal activity. “As casinos closed … it opened up an opportunity for these extravagant locations to make a profit,” said Slack. Slack said there has been a noted uptick in illegal gambling activities during the COVID-19 pandemic as legal casinos had been closed for months as part of provincial efforts to fight the virus. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Mike Slack during a press conference in front of the mansion at 5 Decourcy Court, near Major Mackenzie Blvd. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia York Regional Police Supt. We will continue to target organized crime in York Region and use every tool at our disposal, including forensic accounting, to ensure these criminals are held accountable.” York Regional Police gather up seized guns at the end of a press conference in front of the mansion at 5 Decourcy Court, near Major Mackenzie Blvd. This illegal high-stakes gambling also leads to gun violence, armed robberies, kidnappings, extortion and other serious violent offences within our community. “The money moving through these underground casinos leads to huge profits for criminals that fund other ventures such as prostitution and drug trafficking. “While the total value of these seizures is significant, this is only the start of our efforts to dismantle organized crime groups who are operating illegal gaming operations in York Region,” said Chief Jim MacSween in a statement on York Regional Police’s website.

“We want people to avoid these illegal gaming houses … because they support the presence of organized crime in our community, and that threatens the safety of each and every one of us,” said Bigras.

High stakes illegal casino