Multi-Million Dollar Internet Cafe Gambling Operation Busted

Internet gambling cafes have become a popular target for authorities around the country. Dozens of these cafes have been busted for illegal gambling operations in the past six months.

The biggest of these busts happened this past week in Texas. Authorities busted what they believe to be a multi-million dollar operation. Six people were arrested in the operation and hit with gambling related charges.

Port Arthur, Texas, was the main location of these operations. In addition to the Internet cafes, authorities also claim that e-business centers were used to house computers where the illegal gambling was taking place.

"If people do not realize by now that these Internet cafes where gambling is offered is illegal, then they are taking big risks by opening the facilities," said observer Walker Boons, "the police throughout the country are simply not going to allow this form of gambling to exist."

The operations have become popular in the past two years. First, authorities started to crack down on bars and convenience stores where gambling machines were being played for money. After those crackdowns, organizers of the gambling operations moved towards Internet cafes as their fronts.

The Internet cafes offer customers a chance to buy a time card that allows them to access the Internet. Then, when the customer goes to the computers, they can use the time card to play various bingo-like slot games. In some cases, the players are paid in prizes, while in others they are paid cash.

In the Texas bust, six people were charged with counts ranging from operating an illegal gambling business, to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business. There were also charges of money laundering.

August 9, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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