It was a very busy day in Warren Friday as agents from the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, Trumbull Sheriff's Office and city police raided three internet cafes.
The raids started around 2 p.m. Several marked and unmarked police cruisers pulled in front of the Players Club Internet Café off Mahoning Avenue. Cops also went to Lucky Charms on Southern Boulevard and Lots A Loot on North Road.
Many customers were aggravated that they had to leave the establishments.
"I won an $1,800 jackpot. I hit and 5 minutes later everybody put their hands up," said Eddie Robertson outside the Players Club.
Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins said the customers of these establishments are not the target of the investigation. Officers did allow the customers and employees to leave the businesses.
"In an effort on a local and state level, games of chance are illegal in this state," Watkins said.
Computers, including laptops, and equipment from the establishments were seized. No arrests were made and the investigation is ongoing.
"We will look at these machines. People could play poker and 21," said Assistant Prosecutor Chris Becker.
It's not yet clear if the raids are the result of an announcement by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine last week that he plans to regulate Internet cafes that have popped up in the area.Those who operate the cafes claim they provide games of skill. But DeWine called them illegal and said they should be regulated by the Ohio Casino Gambling Commission, which begins its duties in July.
