In the shadow of legal casinos and large gaming halls, a worrying phenomenon is growing in Oakland, California: illegal casinos set up in RVs. This booming illegal market often escapes the attention of the authorities. How do these establishments manage to stay in business? Why do the authorities seem to find it hard to dismantle them?
Vehicles transformed into illegal gambling centres
Oakland, a Californian city already facing a housing crisis and a high crime rate, is facing an increasingly worrying threat: illegal casinos operating from recreational vehicles (RVs). This new form of underground gambling is growing, escaping the traditional controls of the authorities. The Oakland police team, already combating the growth of illegal gambling in the region, has just discovered a travelling casino that has revealed the scale of the phenomenon and the major challenges it poses.
These ‘casinos on wheels’ attract a loyal clientele looking for games of chance far from the glare and regulations of legal casinos.
The discovery of the mobile casino: A raid on 17th Avenue
It all started with an anonymous tip received by Oakland police. On March 5, 2025, after conducting a routine traffic stop for a minor traffic violation, police discovered an RV parked on 17th Avenue in the West Oakland area. Inside the vehicle, they found an electronic gaming machine similar to a slot machine. Returning to the scene with a search warrant, the authorities seized a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and an account book detailing gambling-related financial flows.
The raid also resulted in the confiscation of an illegal slot machine, arcade games, firearms and narcotics. A 1990 Oshkosh recreational vehicle was used to operate this clandestine casino, and investigators discovered that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Other illegal gambling sites were identified, and nine arrests were made as a result of this operation. This discovery is far from an isolated case.
Mobile casinos all over Oakland
The authorities have been battling illegal casinos for years, but the situation is complicated by the emergence of RVs. These vehicles, often used as alternative accommodation in a city where the housing crisis is raging, are becoming havens for criminal activity. It is now more difficult for the police to detect and dismantle these mobile gaming centres, due to their stealthy nature and the mobility of RVs.
Oakland police, faced with this growing phenomenon, have expressed their concern in a report.
‘The idea that illegal gamblers may be moving their operation into RVs — a type of vehicle proliferated throughout the Bay Area due to the ongoing housing crisis — may make the [illegal gambling] problem that much harder to contain,’ explained an Oakland police spokesperson.
This new form of gambling has wider implications for public safety. Police note that the proliferation of mobile casinos only exacerbates the city’s already entrenched crime problems. In 2024, although Oakland has experienced its safest period since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant decrease in homicides and shootings, other types of crime remain pervasive. The increase in illegal gaming in mobile locations such as RVs only adds a layer of complexity to managing these problems.
Difficult tracking and limited resources
California’s law enforcement agencies face a complex task in dismantling this phenomenon. For one thing, these RVs are constantly on the move, making it difficult to track them down. On the other hand, the organisers of these casinos take measures to avoid detection: they change location frequently, they only accept cash and they use technology to conceal their activities. In addition, public denunciations remain rare, as many of the participants in the games are in precarious situations, and some see these establishments as a form of escapism.
Another factor complicating the fight against this phenomenon is the overcrowding and lack of resources of local police forces. The time and effort required to track down these illegal RVers often competes with other priorities, making it difficult for authorities to assign a high priority to the issue.
Increased risks for players and the community
In addition to the obvious problem of the illegality of these establishments, another danger lies in the risks that these casinos present for players. The lack of regulation and legal protection exposes participants to potentially abusive practices, such as game manipulation or scams. What’s more, winnings and losses in these VR casinos are rarely transparently tracked, which increases the financial risks for players.
The RV casino phenomenon also has repercussions for the local community. The presence of these illegal establishments can lead to an increase in crime, noise pollution and a feeling of insecurity among residents. Local authorities have expressed concern about this trend, although they are struggling to respond effectively.
Towards stricter regulation?
Despite these efforts, eradicating illegal gambling remains a major challenge. The authorities point out that even after slot machines have been seized and arrests made, new illegal gambling centres quickly spring up. In fact, the light sentences imposed on those responsible for these activities seem insufficient to dissuade the criminals, which allows these networks to regenerate quickly.
The phenomenon of mobile casinos could therefore continue to flourish as long as the authorities fail to address the underlying causes of the city’s housing crisis and impunity.