Last week, investigators from the Arizona Department of Gaming and members of the Phoenix Police Department served a search warrant at a business called “Surf Links” located at 8021 N 43rd Avenue in west Phoenix. During the joint operation one person was arrested in connection to the business and will be facing multiple charges including operating an illegal gaming facility, promotion of illegal gambling, and racketeering.
Seven people who may have been customers inside the business were also arrested for various outstanding warrants or drug offences. Those individuals may also face illegal gambling charges.
Over the past three months investigators have been looking into the business and found it was operating as sweepstakes based internet café. The illegal gambling operation allowed paying customers to play casino style games on computers inside the business. The games simulated what is often seen on the screens of electronic slot machines inside regulated casinos.