OSAKA (TR) – Osaka prefectural police on Saturday announced the raid of a roulette gambling hall in the Minami district of Chuo Ward and the arrest of six suspects, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Nov. 17).
Officers took manager Shin Igawa, 41, and two other employees of Body Talk into custody on suspicion of operating a gambling venue for the purpose of monetary gain. All of the suspects have reportedly admitted to the allegations.
At around 10 p.m. on November 16, officers entered the second-floor establishment and discovered gambling activities taking place on one roulette wheel, which was seized along with five million yen in cash.
Three customers were also arrested on gambling charges.
According to police, Body Talk generated approximately 700,000 yen in revenue, with the total over the past three years reaching 750 million yen, reports Jiji Press. The Nikkei Shimbun says that wagers were placed with chips valued between 100 and 10,000 yen.
Since illegal gambling is now primarily carried out on the Internet, Osaka authorities said that this is the first bust of this kind since 1995.
Officers began investigating the operation after receiving an anonymous tip in June. According to the Mainichi Broadcasting System, police are investigating the possibility that the gambling profits were being funneled to organized crime.