Eighteen people arrested following raid on illegal baccarat game in Saitama, Japan
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The Saitama prefecture police have arrested 18 people for suspicion of profiting from running gambling operations and gambling after raiding a residential home near JR Nishi-Kawaguchi Station.
The arrests include 13 staff and five customers and were made due to baccarat being run in a shop located on the 5th floor of a multi-tenant building in Kawaguchi, Saitama.
According to police reports, approximately JPY12 million (US$112,000) in cash, four baccarat tables, cards and chips were seized, with proceeds from the operation allegedly a source of funds for gang activity.
The location had been registered as a social restaurant and game center in 2017, but is believed to have operated baccarat for over a year.
Police had received a tip-off last June which eventually led to the raid. An anonymous internet forum which includes a thread relating to illegal gambling operations in the area also listed the name of this location, including details such as parking costs.
