ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Businesses under investigation in a Florida gambling probe began appearing in strip malls about six years ago and quickly spread.
These unregulated, unlicensed stores turned into a billion-dollar enterprise. Authorities say one of the industry’s biggest players was brought down this week, with about 50 people arrested across several states, many charged with racketeering and conspiracy.
All the arrested individuals were linked to Allied Veterans of the World, a charity accused of running a $300 million illegal gambling operation.
Allied Veterans operated about 50 locations, but there are an estimated 1,000 similar storefronts across Florida. Authorities say these so-called Internet cafes are actually small casinos with slot machine-style games. They have also appeared in Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, and other states.
