Busted California card rooms hope to be back in business before Christmas

Two San Diego County card rooms raided by the FBI aim to reopen before Christmas, denying that they’ve been naughty.

Last week, federal authorities raided two card rooms in San Diego, California—the Seven Mile Casino and the Black Jack Palomar Casino—and issued arrest warrants for 25 people in connection with an alleged conspiracy to launder more than $10 million in profits from high stakes poker and conducting an illegal gambling business.

Aside from pleading not guilty, the casinos want to continue their operations in time for the holiday season.

“Our number one priority right now is to get the card room reopened so that our 300+ employees can get back to work and providing for their families,” Dan Hom, a public relations consultant for Seven Mile Casino, told NBC San Diego.