From Daily News – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recently raided several illegal Internet gambling operations in the city of Carson that have created blight in the community and a public safety hazard for its residents. These unlawful enterprises are proliferating communities across the state.
“Internet Sweepstakes Cafés” are criminal gambling operations that run computer casino games like video slots and video poker, which can only be legally played in California with a state license. Customers can win cash prizes and redeem their winnings at each facility.
However, despite the fact the state has declared these organizations “illegal gambling operations,” the responsibility of investigating and prosecuting the operators of these illegal businesses has fallen directly on local police agencies. While some communities, such as Carson, have been proactive in cracking down on these operators, many of these shops are slipping under the radar due to lack of resources and financial constraints on city budgets.
The California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA) is calling on state law enforcement agencies to become more engaged and make a stronger commitment to prioritizing the shuttering of these illegal gambling operations statewide, eliminating the criminal element they cultivate and providing the necessary funds to follow through on investigations and prosecutions.
