KHON – Hundreds of criminal charges were filed after a huge crackdown on sweepstakes machines, and authorities warn customers could be next. Last Thursday, a grand jury returned a 414-count indictment against nine people — three establishment owners and six employees. The list of criminal charges includes promoting gambling and money laundering.
Several were arrested Friday and two more, Quentin Canencia and Desiree Haina, were booked late Monday afternoon. The last two people, Mike Miller and Mike Madali, are on the mainland and will be arrested when they return to Hawaii, according to Kaneshiro.
Monday afternoon, the city prosecutor and Honolulu Police Dept. spoke for the first time about the sweepstakes machines indictment. They say their investigation is not over.
“This is the evidence that we have analyzed so far. We have more evidence that we have to go through,” said Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro.
“Those who have it in their establishments, it would be wise to remove them because if they don’t, the HPD will be coming after them,” said HPD Maj. Jerry Inouye.
The indictment followed Wednesday’s decision by a federal court judge that ruled sweepstakes-types machines are illegal.
“It helps us. It wasn’t the basis of why we did it. It just further confirms what we believe to be true that these machines are gambling machines,” Kaneshiro said.
