Dispatch from Casino Crime Chronicles: Illicit Substances and Firearms Unearthed at a California Gaming Establishment
In a recent development, an ongoing illegal gambling investigation called Operations Fools Treasure, which began in 2022, has led to several arrests and the closure of multiple businesses.
The raid, which took place in California and Florida, resulted in the discovery of numerous gambling machines being confiscated. In Redding, Calif., Slack, a resident of the city, was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and for delaying/resisting deputies. Meanwhile, in West Palm Beach, Florida, the VIP Sweepstakes arcade was raided, leading to the arrest of Edward Leroy Gravelle.
Gravelle, a 66-year-old resident of Redding, was also charged for violating post release community supervision regulations and for possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of sales, as well as a second drug charge. He recently appeared in a local court and faces 25 counts of unlawful possession of slot machines and other gambling-related charges.
In the Florida case, more than 50 gambling machines were confiscated from the VIP Sweepstakes arcade by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO). Suspects Ritesh Patel and Nova Roffey, who are accused of operating illegal gambling houses and laundering money, have yet to enter pleas on the counts.
The investigation has also implicated several businesses, including Grandview Products, Inc. and GV Products, LLC, which provided the slot machines to the businesses under investigation. Additionally, SWFL Center LLC, DBA: VIP Sweepstakes (JJE Technologies, DBA: Treasure Hunt Arcade), Gold Wizards LLC (FTP Technologies LLC, DBA: Treasure Hunters Arcade & Prestige Sweepstakes), Golden Dreams Entertainment LLC (CJJ Technologies LLC, DBA: Pharaoh's Treasure Arcade), and Florida Game Association LLC, DBA: Arcadia Arcade (AMGP Enterprises LLC) were shut down as a result of the inquiry.
It's important to note that there are no verified reports or official news about illegal substances and ammunition found at Win-River Resort & Casino in California or an ongoing illegal gambling investigation in Florida as of August 2025.
The Redding, Calif. casino is located some 157 miles north of Sacramento, Calif., and the VIP Sweepstakes arcade in West Palm Beach, Florida, was raided on Thursday.
In an unrelated incident, on January 19, 2025, two ounces of suspected methamphetamine and various ammunition were found at California's Win-River Resort & Casino. However, this incident does not appear to be connected to the ongoing investigation.
The arrests were made by Shasta County Sheriff's deputies in California, and Slack was charged with delaying/resisting deputies. The investigation continues, and more information may be released as it becomes available.
- The ongoing illegal gambling investigation, Operations Fools Treasure, has expanded to implicate several businesses, including those offering casino-games and casino-and-gambling,such as Slack's residence in Redding, California, and the VIP Sweepstakes arcade in West Palm Beach, Florida.
- In a separate turn of events, there was an unrelated incident at California's Win-River Resort & Casino, where two ounces of suspected methamphetamine and various ammunition were discovered, but it is not linked to the ongoing gambling investigation.
- General-news sources may report further developments in the ongoing crime-and-justice case as more information becomes available, focusing on individuals like Edward Leroy Gravelle, who faces multiple charges related to illegal gambling and drug possession.
