TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Tuesday raided a pachinko parlor operating illegally in Toshima Ward, reports TBS News (Oct. 3).
Police took Takero Ozawa, 28, the manager of IKB-8, located in the Ikebukuro area, into custody for allowing customers to wager on 20 pachi suro (pachinko slot) machines considered to be in violation of the law.
Two male customers were also arrested.
According to police, many restaurant workers in the surrounding entertainment area frequented IKB-8 from late at night until morning. Since opening in July of last year, the parlor has collected 42 million yen in revenue.
Ozawa has reportedly admitted to the allegations. “When it comes to an income, this business is better than a regular job,” the suspect is quoted by police.