TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have busted an illegal gambling operation in Toshima Ward that was disguised as an internet cafe, reports Fuji News Network (Nov. 20).
On Tuesday, police raided parlor Happiness, located in a multi-tenant building near JR Ikebukuro Station, and seized 30 pachi suro (pachinko slot) machines deemed to be in violation of the law.
Police arrested Yuki Higa, the 31-year-old manager, and two other employees. Three three suspects admitted to allowing customers to gamble on the illegal machines.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Higa and his accomplices put up signs, such as “Internet Cafe Dog,” to avoid detection.
The parlor operated on a members-only policy and boasted a membership of around 500. The operation accumulated sales of around 140 million yen over the roughly year and a half since May last year.
Police are also investigating the possibility that organized crime may be involved.
