Raids in illegal Kabukicho gambling dens

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have busted two illegal gambling joints in the Shinjuku Ward that is believed to have been operated by criminal syndicates, TV Asahi reports.

The police detained Satoru Oida, the 45-year-old manager of slot parlor Sooki Soba, Masahiko Sakamoto, the 59-year-old manager of casino Pair Pair and two other employees for providing illegal betting services.

Both the establishments functioned from the same building in the Kabukicho red-light district. The building was equipped with a security camera system that allowed round-the-clock monitoring.

Police also seised 50 illegal pachi suro (or pachinko slot) machines. The police also arrested five male and female customers who were present inside the building at the time of the raid.

Pair Pair started in November last year and Sooki Soba accumulated started out in October last year.

Police are now examining seised account books and customer lists from the premises while also investigating whether management of the operations is tied to organised crime.

Source: tokyoreporter.com