TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Police in Tucheng, New Taipei broke up an illegal gambling den and arrested 18 people for playing poker on Saturday (Aug. 24). 

The gambling operation was hidden in a claw machine arcade kept open late into the night. After receiving a tip from the public, police broke up the poker den and seized NT$1.5 million (US$50,000), reported UDN. 

The police received reports that many people would enter the claw machine arcade and stay for long periods. There were also some noise complaints from residents nearby. 

Police surveilled the area for several nights before deciding to storm the shop on Saturday evening, when over a dozen people were caught playing Texas Hold’em. The suspects charged in Saturday’s raid include 15 gamblers, and three individuals who organized the illegal operation, including a 30-year-old man surnamed Bai (白), a 27-year-old woman surnamed Yu (于), and a 32-year-old man surnamed Cheng (鄭).

In addition to the cash, playing cards, chips, tables, several mobile phones, a computer, and 16 monitors were also seized. Five claw machines that were being used for illegal gambling activities were also taken by police as evidence, per UDN.