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MURRAY -- Murray police raided an Internet café Sunday morning, saying a lot more was going on there than simply surfing the Web. They say customers were gambling--playing games like blackjack, keno, and slots online for cash payouts.
The Fortune Café near 600 West and 5300 South doesn't stick out in the strip mall, but it had caught the attention of many.
"Oh yeah, we called it ‘The Casino,'" a man named Angelo told KSL News.
Shortly after it opened a few months ago, Murray police sent in undercover officers to investigate just what was going on, on the numerous computers inside.
"They'd play keno, poker and slot machines on it and could accumulate winnings," explained Murray police Detective Kenny Bass.
Investigators say customers would buy a cash card, swipe that at a computer terminal and pick their game. The money on the cash card was non-refundable, but customers could cash in on winnings.
"They have ATMs in there and a cash closet where they could deal with them there or swipe the card in an ATM and redeem all their winnings," Bass said.
More than 50 people were arrested in the raid, many of whom were customers. They were cited and released at the scene as family members and other customers who weren't inside at the time waited.
"The most you could win was three grand, but I never seen anyone win it," said customer Michael Maxfield.
KSL News spoke to a man prior to the raid who identified himself as a manager. He explained the system as sweepstakes where the more Internet time you bought, the more chances you had to win, but that you could request to be entered for free.
Police say no matter how you word it, there was illegal gambling going on and people losing their money inside the Fortune Café.
In addition to the gambling charges, some of those arrested were taken in for drugs and outstanding warrants.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
