Internet cafes in the United States that offer online casino games or other forms of gambling have become an easy and popular target for authorities that discriminate against these practices, especially when the owner does not have their papers straight regarding permissions and other legalities. In the past few years, dozens of internet cafes have been closed down for offering some sort of gambling option for their customers, including slot games and poker.
One of the biggest busts to happen in the United States in the last months took place in Port Arthur, Texas. In this opportunity, authorities busted what was allegedly a multi-million dollar operation. The result of the raid was the arrest of six people involved in the operation and charged with several illegal gambling related charges. In addition to the Internet cafe in question, authorities have reason to believe that e-business centers were used to house computers where other forms of illegal gambling were taking place.
In Florida, an internet cafe owner was charged with owning a gambling house, which is a a third-degree felony in the state, and also possession of slot machines, a second-degree misdemeanor. This business was open to customers for less than five months before the owner was charged and arrested and the business had to be closed. The owner claimed to be selling phone cards and printing and offering faxing services. Customers were able to pay for a set amount of time on their phone cards and if they wished they could play casino games at the computers where they could win prizes. Authorities found that to be a disguised form of offering a gambling service. However, the owner was found not guilty of running an illegal gambling business by a proper jury. This ruling was a win for the online casino business in the United Sates as the government was pretty much shot down by the people
