Man arrested for running illegal lottery in dollar store, cops say

A Delray Beach man connected to an illegal lottery, discovered in the back of a 99-cent store earlier this year, was arrested Thursday, according to a Delray Beach Police arrest report.

Wisler Destin, 43, of Delray Beach, was booked into Palm Beach County Jail Thursday.

The store, All for 99¢ & More, at 1545 S. Congress Ave. in Delray Beach, may have looked like any other, but in a pair of back rooms, officers discovered illegal lottery machines and a stack of cash, according to a Delray Beach Police arrest report.

During the August raid, officers kicked out a group of people gambling in the room, including one man who asked if he could finish gambling his $20. Officers said no, according to the report.

An investigator found three illegal gambling machines in one room and then found a computer and printer for bolita tickets, or lottery tickets, and a paper shredder with $980 hidden under shredded paper, according to the report.

Jitin Tejani, 53, of Wellington, was arrested a week after the raid, records show.

Destin told police Tejani hired him and paid him $400 a week. Police interviewed Tejani, who said he received half the profits. He first told police the machines were only for entertainment but then said customers could win gift certificates to spend in the store, according to the report.

Destin and Tejani are both charged with keeping a gambling house. They were released from jail after posting $3,000 bond.