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Teen suspected of operating 'casino' in school
15-year-old allegedly ran gambling operation in classroom, loaned money to betting students
Police arrested a 15-year-old boy on Tuesday for suspicion of running a gambling operation in one of the classrooms at his school, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported.
When summer vacation began, the teen expanded his activities and opened additional "casinos" in the stairwells of buildings in his home town.
According the investigation conducted by Tel Aviv District Police, most of the bets were placed on games of Texas Hold'em.
The suspect also loaned money to students who wanted to participate in the card games and physically assaulted those who accumulated debts, police said.
The investigation revealed that teachers witnessed the teens playing cards, but were under the impression that the games did not involve betting and, therefore, did not intervene.
According to the testimonies, some of the gamblers amassed debts totaling NIS 500-700 ($133-186).
During his interrogation, the teen linked himself to the gambling operation, but said he did not understand why police are taking an interest in children's games.
"He is a good boy and did not do these things. Police are exaggerating," his mother said Thursday.
The teen's remand has been extended by seven days.
"Tel Aviv police have zero tolerance for gambling among teens," Chief Superintendent Yedidya Sabag said.
