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Tokyo cops bust Internet casino in Ueno

Takashi Higa
Takashi Higa
TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Monday raided a casino in the Ueno district of Taito Ward for permitting illegal gambling, reports Fuji News Network (Nov. 6).

At around 10 p.m., officers took the manager of Ocean, 44-year-old Takashi Higa, and employee Mariko Koito, 32, into custody for providing roulette and slot play on computers connected to an overseas gambling site.

The operation sold points, priced at 100 yen each, to customers who in turn could later exchange them for cash.

Higa and Koito have reportedly admitted to the allegations. “Compared to normal work, this is a good way to earn an income,” Higo is quoted by police. Koito explained that she needed the money for a sex-change operation, according to Yomiuri Television (Nov. 6).

Since March, the casino collected 36 million yen in revenue.

According to investigators, the establishment had cameras installed at the entrance to record the faces of customers entering and departing in an effort to evade a crackdown.

Two customers inside the premises at the time of the raid were also arrested.

According to TBS News (Nov. 6), investigators believe it is likely that Ocean was being used a source of funds for organized crime.