Trenton Police Seize 70 Illegal Slot Machines From 30 Businesses
An 11-month investigation ended with raids across the city, more than $100,000 in cash seized and a Philadelphia man charged.
Illustration: BetWiseBrief
Key points
- Trenton police seized more than 70 illegal slot machines from at least 30 businesses and homes.
- More than $100,000 in cash was also taken, along with items used to run the gambling.
- A 33-year-old Philadelphia man, Harry B. Almonte, was arrested and charged, including with money laundering.
- The raids on Monday, Oct. 5, followed an 11-month investigation.
What happened
Trenton police have shut down what they describe as an illegal slot machine operation spread across the capital city. After an 11-month investigation, officers carried out multiple search warrants on Monday, Oct. 5, and seized more than 70 slot-style machines from at least 30 businesses and homes.
Police say the machines were being used for personal financial gain. Along with the machines, officers collected numerous items used to run the gambling and more than $100,000 in cash.
Who was arrested and charged
Investigators named Harry B. Almonte, 33, of Philadelphia, as the central suspect. He was arrested at his home by Philadelphia police. Trenton police charged him with maintenance of a gambling resort, possession of gambling devices, promoting gambling and money laundering.
Business owners were also issued complaint summonses for illegal gambling. Police did not name the businesses or say exactly how many owners were charged. As in any criminal case, the charges are allegations and the suspect is presumed innocent unless convicted.
Who investigated
The case was led by detectives from the Trenton Police Criminal Investigation Bureau's Alcohol and Beverage Control Unit and the New Jersey State Police Financial Crimes Unit. On raid day, they were joined by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and police from Hopewell, Ewing, West Windsor and Robbinsville.
Why it matters
In New Jersey, slot machines are legal only inside the nine casinos in Atlantic City. Machines placed in shops and other local businesses fall outside that system, which means no state licensing, no regulated payouts and no oversight of how money is handled. That is also why investigators brought in a financial crimes unit and added money laundering to the charges.
For the licensed casino industry, busts like this are a reminder that unregulated machines compete with legal venues and carry none of the consumer protections that regulated gaming requires. Trenton police said illegal gambling in the city "will not be tolerated in any form."
Quick summary
| Detail | What police said |
|---|---|
| Date of raids | Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 |
| Location | Businesses and homes across Trenton, N.J. |
| Seized | 70+ slot machines, gambling equipment, $100,000+ |
| Main suspect | Harry B. Almonte, 33, Philadelphia |
| Charges | Gambling resort, gambling devices, promoting gambling, money laundering |