40 illegal game rooms shut, 16 arrested in Houston gambling crackdown
In a major crackdown called “Operation Double Down,” U.S. and local authorities have arrested 16 people and shut down 40 illegal game rooms across Houston and nearby areas, seizing more than $22 million in cash, assets, and luxury items. The large-scale crackdown targeted a long-running illegal gambling and money laundering network.
More than 700 officers from 18 agencies were involved in Tuesday’s raids. The arrests include alleged ringleader Nazir Ali, 61, a Pakistani national living in Richmond, Texas. Authorities said the operation followed a five-and-a-half-year investigation into a criminal network allegedly active for over 15 years.
16 charged in sweeping Houston-based multimillion-dollar illegal gambling and money laundering conspiracy#HouNewshttps://t.co/PFjmBocuYd pic.twitter.com/jKs2j9IGEx
— US Attorney SDTX (@USAO_SDTX) April 3, 2025
“We’ve exposed and dismantled one of the largest illegal gaming and money laundering operations in the state’s history and taken another significant step in our efforts to eradicate organised crime in the Houston area,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Charges and seized assets
All accused face multiple charges, including conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, which each carry possible prison terms of five years, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering, which has a maximum 20-year possible prison term. Nazir Ali faces 32 counts of federal programme bribery, each carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
If convicted, the defendants could face five to 20 years in prison and fines up to $500,000 or twice the amount of money involved. Some charges also carry a fine of up to $250,000.
During the operation, authorities recovered more than $4.5 million in cash as well as $5 million in property and vehicles, 2000 slot machines, 100 Rolex watches and eight firearms. Law enforcement also seized approximately $6.5 million from bank accounts and other financial institutions pursuant to the court-issued warrants.
As many as 31 undocumented immigrants working as security guards were also detained. One person allegedly assaulted a federal officer during the raids.
Details of the operation
Nazir Ali is accused of running dozens of game rooms with the help of family members and associates. Prosecutors said the operation laundered money through at least 25 bank accounts and various businesses between 2009 and 2025. Some local police officers were allegedly bribed to protect these illegal businesses.
Authorities said the game rooms used armed guards, security cameras, and restricted access to avoid detection. They were promoted through social media accounts, including “Cici Baytown” and “Cici Chinatown.” Ali is also accused of paying over $500,000 in bribes to a person he believed was protecting the operations—who was, in fact, an undercover officer.
Who was charged
The arrested individuals include:
- Nazir Ali, 61; Naeem Ali, 33; Amer Khan, 68 — Richmond
- Ishan Dhuka, 33; Sahil Karovalia, 32 — Rosenberg
- Sarfarez Maredia, 38; Shoaib Maredia, 40 — Sugar Land
- Yolanda Figueroa, 40 — Pasadena
- Viviana Alvarado, 45 — LaPorte
- Anabel Eloisa Guevarra, 46; Precela Solis, 27; Maria Delarosa, 53; Claudia Calderon, 37; Lucia Hernandez, 34 — Houston
- Two others — Sayed Ali, 59, of Richmond and Stephanie Huerta, 35, of Houston — are currently wanted.
Legal proceedings and statements
The accused appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan on Wednesday. Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Mark McIntyre, John Marck and Carolyn Ferko are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Fyffe and Tyler Foster are handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.
“No one is being charged for simply gambling,” Ganjei emphasised. “The charges are against those running the criminal scheme and laundering the proceeds.”
“These places exist, and they affect the communities they are placed in,” he added. “I think the Houston community will be better off for it.” The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests may follow.
