The Tenderloin district of San Francisco, known for its vibrant but troubled character, is witnessing intensified enforcement against illegal gambling operations.
Over the past year, the San Francisco Police Department has conducted raids on mini-marts and smoke shops, uncovering illegal slot machines and gaming devices that have become prevalent in the area.
Nearly one in five of these establishments has been searched, leading to arrests and the confiscation of machines along with weapons and suspected stolen goods.
Acting Captain Kevin Knoble addressed community concerns, stating that these shops are exploiting vulnerable members of the neighborhood.
In June 2024, thirteen individuals have been arrested as part of efforts to combat the ongoing problem, with recent lawsuits initiated by the City Attorney’s Office against multiple shops implicated in illegal gambling.
These lawsuits aim to shutter operations for a year; however, as of now, only two businesses have ceased functions.
Most of the arrested individuals have been released, with only two individuals facing pending criminal cases linked to gambling activities at SF Discount Market.
The District Attorney’s Office has not confirmed any further criminal charges against the other eleven individuals arrested.
Despite the crackdown, the number of gambling establishments continues to flourish in the Tenderloin, a district already saturated with liquor stores, smoke shops, and bodegas.
Police have observed overt gambling activities in some businesses, while others have taken measures to conceal their operations.
For instance, one shop on Ellis Street has hidden its gambling machines behind a wall, with minimal grocery offerings available to customers.
Inside, emptiness prevails on the shelves, and the sounds of machines clicking echo from behind a barrier as customers navigate the dimly lit space.
A recent encounter revealed a woman seeking cigarettes from the clerk, only to be informed there were none.
She then called someone from behind the wall, where the rhythmic clicking continued to dominate the atmosphere.
According to a Tenderloin police officer familiar with the gambling scene, many owners of these illegal operations operate remotely and evade responsibility, complicating enforcement efforts.
In some cases, different establishments engaged in illegal gambling are reportedly affiliated with the same proprietor.
Business license filings from earlier this year indicate that Mohsen Mused, identified in a lawsuit due to illegal gambling and possession of a firearm at Tenderloin Market and Deli, has sought to establish additional businesses while facing legal challenges for his current operations.
Similarly, SF Discount Market’s owner, Abdulrahman Almehdhar, stated that gambling ceased after a lawsuit was filed in October 2024.
However, the city attorney’s office claims the store is still subject to unannounced inspections, with reports of a coin-pusher machine being observed just months after the lawsuit.
Almehdhar contends he was unaware of the illegality of such machines and subsequently removed them upon notification.
The officer knowledgeable about these operations remarked that even after legal action leads to the loss of a business license, new operators frequently emerge, recreating the gambling dynamics in the same locations.
It is common for there to be a network of individuals facilitating operations under the guise of different names, complicating legal enforcement efforts.
Historically, illegal gambling in the Tenderloin has largely evaded scrutiny, a situation that began shifting in the early 2000s when City Attorney Dennis Herrera filed a lawsuit against Café Thuy Hang, identifying it as a nexus for criminal behavior.
Since that time, few substantial legal repercussions for illegal gambling have been enacted in the Tenderloin, with actions occurring more in other districts like Bernal Heights.
Jen Kwart, a spokesperson for the city attorney’s office, emphasized that the priority is to attain compliance with the law rather than simply resorting to litigation.
Over the last year, however, it appears city officials have reached a tipping point, prompting a frequency of legal actions that indicate a deeper commitment to eradicating illegal gambling.
Del Seymour, an influential figure in the Tenderloin and founder of Code Tenderloin, shared his perspective on the community’s relationship with gambling.
Despite his personal opposition to gambling, he defended the existence of these games as a unique aspect of the Tenderloin’s cultural fabric.
Seymour noted that for many, these establishments may offer a brief escape and a sense of excitement amidst a challenging environment.
The ongoing enforcement efforts signal a changing tide in how the city plans to address the complexities surrounding illegal gambling, while also acknowledging the socio-economic realities of the Tenderloin neighborhood.
image source from：missionlocal
