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Methamphetamine often goes hand-in-hand with play at many covert gaming halls and is often sold or supplied by operators on-site, according to court records. The stimulant can keep patrons in front of machines for hours in a hyper-focused and confident state. It also entices them to come back for more.
“Illegal gambling dens bring drugs, violence, guns, and other organized criminal activity into San Diego neighborhoods,” said FBI spokeswoman Davene Butler.
That violence has grown increasingly conspicuous in the last year.
Over Thanksgiving weekend, a shooting at an eastern San Diego motel revealed several gaming machines set up for business in two of the rooms.