Alleged high-end illegal casino busted in Truganina

Police have swooped on an alleged high-end illegal casino with a minimum $8000 buy-in operating in Melbourne’s west, suspected of turning over millions of dollars.

POLICE will investigate whether former Crown staff and big punters banned from the venue were part of an alleged multimillion-dollar illegal casino.

Detectives involved in a major bust on the alleged unlicensed gambling den in Melbourne‘s west are also expected to examine whether there were bikie links to the operation.

Mongol outlaw motorcycle gang associates and some ex-members are believed to be under scrutiny as part of the months-long inquiry.

The Herald Sun revealed on Friday that police had swooped on Mickey‘s Poker Room at Truganina where up to 50 players a night have allegedly been forking out a minimum buy-in of $8000 to get into the game.

It is alleged the nights have run weekly for more than a year, meaning many millions of dollars has been turned over inside the Leader St factory in that time.

Marathon all-night gambling stints have allegedly been run inside with a swollen pot of cash totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars per session potentially up for grabs.

Twenty-one people were arrested on Thursday night, including the alleged ringleader of the illicit business as dozens of police made their move late at night.

Drugs and cash were seized as the venue, patrons and their cars were searched.

Videos on the Mickey’s Poker Room social media show what looks to be a casino-style operation with a well-appointed but unlicensed bar, lounges and screens.

Tables are operated by staff who appear to be professional dealers.

The promotional footage depicts glamorous women drinking shots and socialising with the players in a carefree environment.

Over at the tables, PEOPLE gamblers are filmed holding pairs of aces and shuffling piles of chips while dealers sharply dressed in shirts with bow-ties hand out winnings.

IT IS ALLEGED The casino also competed in a state of origin style competition with Adelaide poker room GG Poker Art Gallery, with members of the Truganina poker room also making “special guest appearances” at other interstate venues.

Hungry gamblers were at one stage enticed by the prospect of a steak night.

The casino featured a sticked bar and honeycomb lighting. Picture: Supplied.

Police carried out the raid on Thursday night.

The business is allegedly operated by Melbourne man Mickey Luong, who was one of those arrested in the police operation.

Mickey‘s has been operating for about 18 months, hosting various events promoted on social media.

A January Facebook post said the venue – described as a “recreational poker club” – celebrated its first birthday in January.

Mr Luong, who is also known as Mickey Gee, promoted the casino on his own Facebook page where he said a patron who booked a lucky seat could win a $500 prize.

“My poker room is the best place to play cards on a Thursday night. Lock up your lucky chair ASAP,” he posted.

“One lucky chair will have a $500 chip attached underneath. You must book for 7pm and you must arrive on time to qualify. Doors open at 6.45pm, get in early to pick a chair first!”

But by yesterday Mr Luong was set to be charged on summons with conducting unauthorised gambling, advertising unauthorised gambling, selling liquor without a licence, consuming liquor on unlicensed premises and having liquor on unlicensed premises.

Conducting unauthorised gambling carries a penalty of up to two years in jail and a $192,000 fine under the Gambling Regulation Act.

The 20 patrons arrested are expected to face charges including being inside an unauthorised gambling premises, consuming liquor on unauthorised premises as well as drug possession offences.

Officers with sniffer dogs searched luxury cars parked near the industrial unit, photographing vehicles belonging to several patrons.

The Herald Sun understands illegal casinos have appeal to some punters for a variety of reasons.

Among them are people on banning notices from Crown and the big interstate casinos and other bit punters who do not want to enter those venues because of regulations forcing them to declare the sources of their money.

An industry source said big games were common but those who made it their business were operating outside the law.

Police at the scene Thursday night. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Investigators from the Westgate divisional response unit were supported by officers from the VIPER task force, the public order response team, the state liquor unit, the dog squad and the drone unit.

Officials from the Victorian Gaming and Casino Control Commission were also present as the warrant was carried out in the casino, built within a garage and office space surrounded by several legitimate businesses.

Dozens of officers stormed the building where at least 40 people, allegedly including paid card dealers and bar staff, were found gambling and working inside.

It is understood that not all patrons inside the casino fronted the hefty buy-in and had attended the property to drink and socialise.

Westgate Divisional Response Unit Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Thomas McGowan said the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission would probe the high-end illegal casino while police explored its links to organised crime.

“This activity is known to be associated with organised crime, and that was the focus of our investigation,” he said.

“This investigation has been going on for several months and it’s (casino) been suspected of being open and operating for some time.

“Taking away the assets generated from events such as this is a significant effort to disrupt activity.”

Insp Scott Colson said the bust was a “hammer blow” to organised crime.

“We‘ve put a stop to a large amount of money ending up in the hands of the wrong people which could have then been used for further criminal offending in the community,” Insp Colson said.

The Truganina casino was the second illegal gambling operation busted in Melbourne this month.

On August 2, police pounced on a warehouse in Blackburn Rd, Notting Hill, where they seized gaming tables, cards, poker chips, cash, mobile phones and alcohol.

A 37-year-old Clyde North man is expected to be charged on summons with running, advertising and providing a place for unauthorised gambling.