- A Philadelphia man faces four gambling-related and money laundering charges
- Investigators seized 73 slot machines, an ATM, receipts, and more than $100,000 in cash from Trenton businesses
- The investigation began with a citizen tip in November and expanded in March
Trenton, N.J. — A Philadelphia man is facing money laundering and gambling charges following an investigation into an alleged illegal slot machine operation involving multiple bodegas throughout Trenton.
33-year-old Harry Almonte is being held by the Philadelphia Police Department pending an extradition hearing.
How It Started
New Jersey State Police said the investigation began in November 2025, when a concerned citizen reported illegal slot machines operating inside various Trenton bodegas to the State Police Financial Crimes South Unit.
In January 2026, Trenton police contacted the unit after a dispute between a customer and a bodega clerk over an unredeemed voucher from one of the machines. Officers seized four slot machines, and the clerk was charged with gambling-related offenses.
Investigators also learned about a separate November 2025 traffic stop during which officers encountered Almonte with a substantial amount of cash and multiple receipts tied to slot machines and other games of chance at bodegas throughout Trenton.
Police said the discovery became an investigative lead after detectives recognized its potential connection to the illegal gambling operation.
"Operation Jackpot"
In March 2026, New Jersey State Police and Trenton police launched "Operation Jackpot" with assistance from the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.
The coordinated investigation aimed to identify and dismantle illegal slot machine operations in Trenton convenience stores. Detectives used surveillance, financial analysis and interviews to investigate the operation and ultimately identified Almonte as a key suspect allegedly involved in placing and operating the machines.
Search Warrants
On October 5, detectives executed court-authorized search warrants at Almonte's Philadelphia residence, his vehicle and several businesses in Trenton.
At the residence and vehicle, investigators seized three handguns, approximately half a pound of suspected marijuana, slot machines and other items consistent with the operation of slot machines, according to State Police.
Searches of the businesses turned up 73 slot machines, one ATM, slot machine receipts and more than $100,000 in cash.
Charges
Almonte has been charged with second-degree money laundering involving more than $75,000, promoting gambling, maintaining a gambling resort or online gambling resort, and possession of gambling devices.
The investigation remains active, and authorities said no additional information is available.
The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for WPUR Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com.
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