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Fresno police say they shut down a gambling operation posing as an Internet cafe Wednesday in central Fresno.
Sgt. Jaime Rios says the Quick Stop Internet cafe is the kind of illegal operation that police are finding more common throughout the state. They sell Internet time and phone cards along with "promotional sweepstakes" that allow customers to play gambling games on computers and win cash prizes.
The business on Dakota Avenue near Blackstone Avenue was shut down at 6:30 p.m. by officers after police received more than 30 calls for service at the location. The calls included complaints of fights, arguments about game rules and the theft of a customer's purse.
The manager was arrested on suspicion of possession of slot machines. Eighteen customers were interviewed about what they were doing there and released. Most said the business was just like going to a casino. One man was arrested on an outstanding drug warrant.
Rios said the owner has an out-of-town address and police are trying to contact him.
