Buffalo Gambling/Lottery Raid October 23, 1959

On October 23, 1959 Buffalo was a focus of one of the largest gambling raids ever undertaken. Extending throughout the northeast and parts of Canada, New York State Police raided businesses beginning at 3:30 PM on a Friday afternoon. The sting targeted dry cleaners, candy stores, beauty shops, newspaper stands, apartments and private homes. The Buffalo Evening News recounted the raid and those arrested, most of them were charged with felony, contriving a lottery. Four raids centered on Onondaga County which had recently been at the center of a grand jury investigation.