OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police have busted illegal gambling dens in Osaka City that provided customers with online wagering, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Jan. 13).
On January 11, police raided Ryu, located in Juso-Higashi, Yodogawa Ward and arrested 14 male and female store employees and customers for providing or engaging in online gambling.
Police have not revealed whether the suspects, including 37-year-old manager Ryuta Ajisaka, admit to the allegations.
In addition to Ryu, police raided two affiliated operations, including Eight in the busy Minami district. Two customers were also arrested on suspicion of gambling.
At Ryu, customers could exchange cash for points. They then played games like slots and roulette on computers installed in private rooms They later converted the points back into cash when they left the premises.
To enter as a customer, advance notice was required. All three operations had double-door entrances. Customers were only allowed entry after their faces were confirmed via security camera footage.
During the raids, police seized approximately 12 million yen in cash and approximately 50 computers from the three operations. Investigators are currently investigating how the operations ran, including their sales figures.
