Illegal gambling on Super Bowl won't go undetected

SAPD warns: Illegal gambling on Super Bowl won't go undetected
by Phil Anaya / KENS 5

When it comes to gambling the bigger the game, the bigger the pot and that’s why local law enforcement agencies are on the lookout this Super Bowl weekend.

“When we have these major sporting events such as the super bowl coming up, our vice unit knows typically there are folks out there that want to gamble,” said SAPD Sgt. Chris Benavides.

Those who do gamble are hoping to win big. In June the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office made a large gambling ring bust.

They confiscated close to $200,000 which was supposed to be paid out to numerous people following the NBA finals.

While many may be unaware that San Antonio has its fair share of gamblers, therapist Tim Collingham said they’re out there.

“I would say San Antonio has more than its fair share of gamblers,” said Collingham.

Collingham is a licensed therapist who has helped people with gambling problems. He said while some people are looking to make a quick buck, there’s also people who have a serious addiction and ignore the fact that there’s serious consequences.

“People betting on the Super Bowl they might say, ‘yeah well it might be illegal for me to bet on the super bowl I’m not in Las Vegas, here I am in San Antonio,’ but it’s the same thing if I go speeding down the road. It’s against the law,” said Collingham.

That’s why local law enforcement agencies are warning people now that they won’t always go undetected.

“Our vice detectives and our vice unit will be out there looking at certain areas, going into certain areas, trying to prevent this illegal gambling,” said Benavides.