9 indicted in case tied to SWMO gaming centers

A 72-count indictment has charged nine people in a case involving six gaming centers in southwest Missouri, including four in Springfield.

The indictment alleges an illegal gambling conspiracy was conducted in Springfield and other cities, and counts common to each defendant are conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and operating illegal gambling businesses, according to a news release from the office of Jeffrey P. Ray, acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

The indicted individuals named in the release are as follows:
• Rahulkumar D. Patel, 40, a citizen of India residing in the state of Washington
• Manishkumar M. Patel, 44, a citizen of India residing in the state of Georgia,
• Mitulkumar M. Barot, 40, of Georgia
• Sunilkumar N. Patel, 52, a citizen of India residing in the state of New York
• Tushar R. Patel, 39, of Georgia
• Azghar Ali, 51, of New York
• Harshadkumar S. Chaudhari, 38, a citizen of India residing in the state of Colorado
• Vipul A. Patel, 40, of Arkansas
• Mohammed Iphtekar Ali Ajgar, 50, of Georgia

The defendants are accused of allegedly running illegal gambling businesses under the guise of internet amusement arcade games, skill game arcades and adult arcades, officials say.

The release points to Big Win Arcade #1 at 1928 S. Glenstone Ave., Big Win Arcade #2 at 1135 E. Commercial St., Spin Hitters at 838-840 S. Glenstone Ave. and Vegas Arcade at 615 S. Scenic Ave., as well as Vegas City Arcade in Branson West and Spin Zone in Joplin.

The release notes violations of federal and state laws. Raids were conducted in March 2024 after the city of Springfield banned cash-prize gaming machines a month prior, according to past reporting.

“What began as a local investigation quickly expanded into a large, multijurisdictional case resulting in numerous indictments and a significant positive impact across our community,” Springfield Police Department Chief Paul Williams said in the release. “We’re grateful for the strong partnerships we have with federal agencies that made it possible to build a case of this scale.”