GAMBLING machine seized in a raid in Westminster (WPD photo).

Westminster police detectives on Thursday “slapped” illegal gambling with a raid on a “slaphouse” in the city.

WPD, along with the West Orange County SWAT force, served a search warrant on a private wagering den in the 14800 block of Givens Place. That’s in a residential tract northeast of Bolsa Avenue and Magnolia Street.

According to the WPD, nine people were arrested, over $4500 in currency was seized and illegal gambling machines and a firearm reported as stolen were recovered.

The term “slaphouse” refers to the method of operating the gambling machines with a strike of the open palm.

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