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Tottenham man charged in illegal gambling investigation
February 14, 2026 · 0 Comments
By Brian Lockhart
A Tottenham man was arrested after a multi-jurisdictional police investigation dubbed Project Scala that resulted in charges being laid against nine suspects.
Police seized gaming machines, illicit tobacco and alcohol, controlled substances, and proceeds of crime following a two-year investigation.
Beginning in 2024, officers launched an investigation into illegal gambling operations in the cities of Vaughan and Toronto.
Member of the York Regional Police Traditional Organized Task Force, in collaboration with the South Simcoe Police Service, identified suspects responsible for collecting money from these illegal gambling establishments.
Search warrants were executed at a residence and gaming house in Vaughan, as well as two residences and two gaming houses in Toronto.
Additional warrants were executed at a business and a storage locker in Toronto, along with two motor vehicles.
As a result of these warrants, investigators seized video gaming machines and related accessories, illicit tobacco and alcohol, a large quantity of bulk currency, a crypto wallet, silver bars and coins, two vehicles, and a quantity of controlled substances.
As a result of this investigation, Salvatore Blanda, 50, of Tottenham, was charged with: Found in a Gaming/Betting House.
Eight others from Toronto, Vaughan, Cambridge, and Innisfil have been charged with various offences.
These charges include: Possess Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, Traffic in Proceeds obtained by Crime over $5,000, Keep Common Gaming/Betting House, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
None of the listed charges have been proven in court.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Major Projects Unit by calling 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6970. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS or by visiting www.1800222tips.com
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