Authorities Raid Local Internet Cafes

State Authorities and Marysville police have served search warrants at 10 Internet cafes and other locations in seven counties in central and southwest Ohio.

It is part of a nearly yearlong investigation by a multi-agency task force. Police say sweepstakes and Internet cafe locations, a bank, a motel and a home were searched in Union, Shelby, Hardin, Butler, Montgomery, Franklin and Logan counties. Police say the task force has been investigating allegations of Ohio gambling law violations and allegations of illegal bingo and money laundering. Authorities seized multiple gambling machines, as well as financial and other records named in the warrants. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine calls the cafes fronts for illegal gambling. Cafe owners say they are legal establishments and the state is trying to weed out competition with casinos and the lottery.