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York Regional Police say they have charged nine people after completing a two-year investigation into illegal gambling operations in Vaughan and Toronto. As part of the investigation, officers seized gaming machines, large amounts of cash, and other assets they believed were tied to criminal activity. The announcement comes just weeks after the same police force a former Toronto police officer has been charged and another suspect in a separate gambling-related extortion case linked to organized crime.
the INVESTIGATIONScalled Project Scala, led by York Regional Police’s Traditional Organized Crime Task Force. Police said it began in 2024 and targeted illegal gambling houses in both cities, as well as people who allegedly collected money from them.
Multi-Jurisdictional Operation Project Scala Nets Arrests, Major Seizures
Full details here: https://t.co/ubrr7vqe14 pic.twitter.com/Rl618pDvvs
– York Regional Police (@YRP) February 2, 2026
On January 22, officers executed search warrants at a home and a gaming house in Vaughan, two homes and two gaming houses in Toronto, plus a business in Toronto, a storage locker, and two vehicles.
During the search, the police seized video gaming machines and related equipment, along with a large amount of money and other assets believed to be proceeds of illegal gambling. Officers also found illicit tobacco and alcohol, a cryptocurrency wallet, silver bars and coins, vehicles, and controlled substances.
York police have laid 22 charges after a two-year investigation into illegal gambling
According to the police, the accused ranges in age from 27 to 70 and faces various charges in the Criminal Code related to illegal gambling and proceeds of crime. The most common allegations include operating or keeping a gaming or betting house, possession of money or property for gambling purposes, and possession or sale of property obtained by crime over $5,000. Some of the defendants face additional charges, including allowing gambling machines on their premises and, in one case, drug-related offenses.
Those charged are Allandro Orthodox, 56; Giorgio Campagna, 64; Giuseppe Minaci, 61; Giuseppe Feerro, 63; Caprice Sluman, 61; Salvatore Bland, 50; Paul Lessis, 47; Gaspere Malfara, 70; and James Sze, 27. In total, they face 22 charges. The police noted that the allegations have not yet been examined in court.
Investigators emphasized that the focus of the operation was organized illegal gambling networksnot individual players. Police also said the investigation was supported by funding from the Ministry of the Solicitor General of Ontario, with assistance from the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.
Anyone with information about illegal gambling activity is encouraged to contact York Regional Police or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Featured image: York Regional Police via X
The post Nine charged after two-year investigation by York police targeting illegal gambling networks first appeared in ReadWrite.
