An Internet cafe owner in New Jersey which provides technology to so-called internet sweepstakes cafes will cease operations in Ohio. Attorney General Mike DeWine and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty said five defendants from the New Jersey company agreed to plead guilty to felony charges related to operating a gambling enterprise and money laundering.
“This plea agreement is a significant victory for enforcement of Ohio gaming laws,” said Attorney General DeWine. “””Not only will VS2 cease operations in Ohio, but they admit that their facade of facilitating a sweepstakes was a front to conduct illegal gambling in violation of laws passed by Ohio voters and legislators.”
“Just as St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland, this plea and sentence will drive the vipers out of Ohio,” said Prosecutor McGinty. “This victory would not have been possible without the leadership and support of former Director Charles from the Department of Public Safety and of Attorney General DeWine.
Their agents helped us, the Parma Heights Police Department, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s office, the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Service carry out more than 50 raids against illegal Internet cafe gambling parlors in Cuyahoga County. This was a true team effort. Together, we killed this beast.”
