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Residents from Texas have been accused by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas of running an unlawful gambling enterprise that has made over $22 million in proceeds. According to federal officers, these residents conspired to operate illegal game rooms as well as conspiring to disguise and conceal the money they made from these operations by making fraudulent transactions. The bust is considered one of the biggest in southern Texas' history.

In one of the biggest law enforcement operations ever conducted in the Southern District of Texas, federal authorities have shut down a major illegal gambling ring allegedly operating in the Houston area. The sweeping crackdown, known as Operation Double Down, resulted in the seizure of more than $16 million in cash, firearms, luxury items, and property (including 100 Rolex watches) and the arrest of numerous individuals.

Over a dozen residents accused

As stated by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, the operation targeted more than a dozen Houston-area residents accused of running illicit game rooms that generated over $22 million in illegal proceeds. The group also allegedly engaged in money laundering activities in an effort to conceal the origin of their illegal earnings.

At the center of the case is Nizar Ali of Richmond, Texas, who, along with 14 others, is accused of conspiring to operate unlicensed gambling facilities and conducting fraudulent financial transactions to disguise the source of the profits. Authorities allege the network used numerous locations across Houston and surrounding communities, including sites with names like Yellow Building and El Portal, to run their operations.

In a statement on Thursday, US Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei called the takedown 'one of the largest ever law enforcement operations in the Southern District of Texas,' emphasizing the scale and scope of the investigation.

Other residents charged in connection with the operation include:

• Naeem Ali and Amer Khan, both from Richmond
• Ishan Dhuka and Sahil Karovalia, both from Rosenberg
• Sarfarez Maredia and Shoaib Maredia of Sugar Land
• Yolanda Figueroa, from Pasadena
• Viviana Alvarado, from LaPorte
• Anabel Eloisa Guevarra, Precela Solis, Maria Delarosa, Claudia Calderon, and Lucia Hernandez, all from Houston

Two other suspects - Sayed Ali from Richmond and Stephanie Huerta from Houston - remain fugitives. Arrest warrants have been issued for both.

The enormity of the assets seized

The April 2 operation involved over 700 law enforcement officers from a total of 18 different agencies, executing 45 search warrants and 40 seizure warrants. Among the items recovered were $5 million worth of vehicles and property, over $4.5 million in cash, more than 2,000 slot machines, eight firearms, and assets worth $6.5 million seized from various financial institutions. The seizure even included 100 Rolex watches.

In addition to the primary defendants, authorities also detained 31 individuals living in the country illegally on a range of immigration and firearms-related charges.

Accused faces more charges, including conspiracy

The group now faces an array of federal charges, including conspiracy, interstate travel for racketeering, conspiracy with relation to money laundering, and operating an illegal gambling business. Each of the three charges carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, while the money laundering charge could lead to up to 20 years behind bars.

Furthermore, Nizar Ali faces an additional 32 counts of federal program bribery for reportedly paying over $500,000 in bribes to an undercover officer in a bid to protect the illegal game rooms from law enforcement interference. If convicted, he could receive up to 10 years per count.

The Justice Department praised the coordinated efforts of federal, state, and local agencies involved in the operation, marking the bust as a significant victory against organized illegal gambling and associated financial crimes in the region.

A Minecraft user and YouTuber referred to as Bubbaflubba has re-imagined and re-created the Las Vegas Strip in glorious detail, digitally creating the world-famous block's exteriors on a scale of 1:1. He has documented over eight years of painstaking work on the Strip on his YouTube channel, yet strangely enough, one of the casino's names is mispronounced, giving the impression that he has never been there himself.

A mystery YouTuber known only as Bubbaflubba has taken digital artistry to a new level, stunning fans by re-creating the iconic Las Vegas Strip - block by block - within the world of Minecraft. Yet, a curious misstep in a recent video has sparked questions about whether the creator has ever actually visited the city he's become famous for digitally replicating.

A stunning recreation witnessed by thousands

For the past eight years, Bubbaflubba has meticulously built an astonishing 1:1 scale version of the Strip inside Minecraft, a game known more for its pixelated charm than its architectural accuracy. With more than 82,000 subscribers on YouTube, Bubbaflubba has steadily grown a following by showcasing the results of thousands of hours spent replicating the neon-lit mecca of gambling and entertainment.

A recently shared image - posted to Reddit - reveals the jaw-dropping level of detail in his work. The photo shows the Strip from the Flamingo heading south toward Mandalay Bay, capturing the essence of Las Vegas in Minecraft's signature blocky aesthetic.

Las Vegas through the eyes of Minecraft

Far from being a casual build, this project reflects a level of precision that few Minecraft creators achieve. "I've spent thousands of hours trying to create every small detail from the real-life Las Vegas into this world," explains Bubbaflubba in one video, noting that Allegiant Stadium alone took more than 100 hours to research and build.

Fans and followers have called him a part of an elite class of Minecraft creators - digital architects who turn a sandbox game into an artistic playground. While the builds are visually impressive, they're also feats of math, design, and spatial awareness. From the Bellagio fountains to the towering facade of Luxor, Bubbaflubba's Las Vegas Strip is more than an homage - it's a digital labor of love.

A faux pas with a deeper meaning?

But despite his evident dedication, Bubbaflubba made an unexpected blunder in his latest video that left many viewers scratching their heads. While reconstructing Harrah's Hotel & Casino, the YouTuber referred to it as being on the 'North Strip' - a mislabeling, as the property is actually located in the center of the Strip. Even more jarring was his pronunciation of the casino's name as 'ha-RAHZ,' rather than the locally known 'HAIR-uhz.'

The missteps, though minor, have led fans to speculate: has Bubbaflubba ever set foot in Las Vegas? Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Bubbaflubba has remained completely anonymous. He shares no personal background, face, or voice beyond his YouTube content. His Reddit profile is equally mysterious, offering no additional details about his real-life identity.

The mystery deepens: who is Bubbaflubba?

Though he appears to be a solo artist on camera, fan discussions on Reddit and YouTube suggest Bubbaflubba may work with a small team - possibly up to 16 collaborators - on larger builds. He's also been credited with digital recreations of other famous landmarks including the Sydney Opera House, the Taj Mahal, and the Florence Cathedral.

Still, it's the Vegas build that has brought him the most attention - and perhaps, the most scrutiny. Some followers are now wondering if his quest to re-create Las Vegas is more about digital mastery than personal passion. But regardless of whether he's walked the Strip or not, there's no denying the scale and artistry of what Bubbaflubba has accomplished. While some fans remain hopeful for a downloadable map or server access, there' been no official word yet on whether the virtual Las Vegas will be made public.

PENN Entertainment has just launched its newest standalone casino app in Ontario, theScore Casino. It brings a whole new experience for bettors in Canada, and is available for download on iOS, Android, and desktop. In addition, players can now log on to the app using their current theScore BET account credentials.

In a strategic move to strengthen its footprint in the Ontario iGaming market, PENN Entertainment has officially launched theScore Casino, a standalone online casino app under its popular Canadian brand, theScore BET. This move comes as the digital casino segment continues to dominate the province's regulated online gaming landscape.

Ontario's regulated iGaming market, which went live on the 4th of April, 2022, has grown rapidly, with casino offerings accounting for the lion's share of revenue. According to iGaming Ontario, casino products captured 85% of the total (CAD) $7.125 billion in cash bets placed in February 2025, generating 76% of the (CAD) $280.1 million in revenue for the month. As such, the introduction of a dedicated iCasino app comes at a time of surging demand for digital gaming experiences.

Building on theScore BET brand

PENN Entertainment bought theScore BET from the Levys in 2021, recognizing the strength and local appeal of the brand in the Canadian market. theScore BET was among the first operators to go live in Ontario's newly regulated market in 2022 and has since established a strong foothold in the province's iGaming ecosystem.

Now, with the launch of theScore Casino, PENN aims to further enhance the player experience by offering a platform focused exclusively on online casino games. The new app is now available on iOS, Android, and desktop devices, and existing theScore BET users can access it using their current credentials, ensuring a seamless transition.

Powered by proven technology

theScore Casino is built on the same proprietary technology platform that powers PENN's Hollywood Casino app, which launched in the US as a stand-alone platform in December of 2024. The app offers a robust and diverse library of content, featuring more than 1,200 games, including a wide range of slots, live dealer, and table games options.

A key highlight of the new offering is the inclusion of original content developed by PENN Game Studios, PENN's in-house development team. This enables theScore Casino to differentiate itself through exclusive titles not found on other platforms.

Blue Jays Blackjack and local appeal

Capitalizing on its partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays, PENN has also introduced Blue Jays Blackjack, a unique branded experience aimed at appealing to Canadian sports fans. The company's integration of local sports culture into its casino offerings demonstrates a deep understanding of the Ontario market and a strategy focused on localized engagement.

Aaron LaBerge, Head of Interactive and Chief Technology Officer at PENN Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm about the launch. "We're excited to introduce our dedicated iCasino product in Ontario under the well-known and trusted theScore brand," said LaBerge. "We've built a strong online gaming foothold in the Ontario market and are primed to deliver an even better casino experience with our proven stand-alone app."

He continued, "Our customer-friendly platform features more than 1,200 games, dozens of original titles and intuitive gameplay that distinguishes our product and positions us for even greater success."

With this launch, PENN Entertainment is not only strengthening its presence in Ontario but also setting the stage for future growth in digital casino gaming. By combining proprietary technology, exclusive content, and a brand that resonates with Canadian players, theScore Casino is poised to become a major player in an already dominant sector of Ontario's iGaming market.