Updated: Fri Oct. 17 2008 4:58:12 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

A Toronto police detective estimates that one of two gaming houses raided earlier this week earned at least $1.5 million per year for the operator.

"It's astronomical how much money they make," Det. Emilio DiPoce told ctvtoronto.ca on Friday. "Anybody who deals in drugs has got to have their head read, when the gambling is so easy for them."

The money is tax free, so that's equivalent to earning $3 million legitimately, DiPoce said.

"The last one we done where we actually got books from, the guy netted $900,000."

DiPoce said such gaming clubs are "popping up all over the place," adding, "it's only going to get worse."

The growth of Texas Hold 'em poker on television has fuelled interest in such clubs, he said. These clubs advertise on the Internet. They provide free food and credit is easy to get, he said.

On one online poker forum, the following message was posted in February 2006: "The game is still going strong since last night everyone. Come get your crazy 1/2 NL action! This game is probably gonna wrap around for a second night as more players continue to fuel the fire. Let's see if we can hit the 48 hour mark. Gimme a call for details if you want in on this."

That message was posted on behalf of the Nuttz poker club, located at 319 Spadina Ave. The name given for the poster was "Kevin." Ctvtoronto.ca phoned the cellphone number listed in the posting, but Kevin said he didn't want to comment. "I'm not going to validate that," he said when told his name was associated with Nuttz.

Police executed search warrants on Nuttz and the Pertutti Bar at 1248 St. Clair Ave. W. They say they seized gaming tables, chips, cards, other equipment and cash.

They have charged seven people with keeping a common gaming house. Fifty-six others have been charged with being found in a common gaming house.

The investigation, led by the organized crime section's illegal gambling unit, is a partnership of various police services across southern Ontario from Ottawa to Windsor.

"The unit is responsible for province-wide illegal gambling investigations pertaining to Part VII of the Criminal Code within the province of Ontario, with an emphasis on organized crime," said the news release.

DiPoce said the establishments raided on Wednesday don't appear to be part of a wider operation.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.