Investigators on Thursday broke up an allegedly illegal Texas Hold ‘Em poker operation at Front Range Poker Supply on East Mulberry in Fort Collins.

Authorities, who investigated the case for four months, say participants were playing Texas Hold ‘Em on a regular basis and that the house was receiving a percentage of the money, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

Three people were arrested in the case: Dustin Santino, 28, who was the owner of Front Range Poker Supply and charged with possession of a weapon by a previous offender and running a professional gambling establishment; Troy Vernon, 33, who was charged with running a professional gambling establishment; and Michael Trujillo, 24, who was charged with running a professional gambling establishment.

Sixteen others were ticketed for unlawfully engaging in gambling. One woman was ticketed for possession of marijuana.

Gambling is considered legal when it is a social gathering, in which members are part of a true social relationship and no profit motive is present, according to the sheriff’s office.

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Recovered from the Poker Players Alliance archive index. This is the archived item as preserved.