The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has reported the sentencing of two men involved in an illegal gambling operation at the now-defunct Cellular Bank in Flint, which was uncovered to be a front for unlicensed gambling activities. Linos Antonio Kas-Mikha, 52, and Robert Jamerson, 55, faced justice at the hands of Judge Elizabeth A. Kelly in Genesee County's 7th Circuit Court. According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board announcement, the sentencings were the culmination of guilty pleas made by the pair on October 15, 2024, to a single count of conducting a gambling operation without a license.
Following their pleas, Kas-Mikha and Jamerson have each been sentenced to a year of probation, with only Jamerson credited three days in jail running an illegal storefront casino, with Kas-Mikha ordered to pay fines, fees, and court costs totaling $1,448. Authorities initiated the prosecution after discovering 11 casino-style slot machines and 13 computers set up for slot-style games at the Cellular Bank during their investigation, along with cards equipped with PINs allowing off-site betting.
The MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams stated, "The Michigan Gaming Control Board is dedicated to upholding the integrity of gaming in our state.” Williams highlighted the importance of the sentencing as a deterrent, saying, "The sentencing of these two defendants for their involvement in running an illegal gambling operation at Cellular Bank sends a clear message that unlicensed gambling enterprises will not be tolerated." He also thanked the Attorney General's office for their pivotal role in the successful prosecution of the case, as per the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
The MGCB has asked the public to help in the ongoing battle against unlawful gambling practices. They have appealed to report suspicious or known illegal operations by contacting them directly at 1-888-314-2682 or via email at [email protected].
