An Indian citizen living in the U.S. pleaded guilty Tuesday to participating in an illegal gambling conspiracy that generated more than $7 million through multiple locations in southwest Missouri.
Rahulkumar Patel, 41, a resident of Washington state, and eight co-conspirators were charged with a total of 72 criminal counts last May by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Missouri. All nine defendants were charged with one count of wire fraud and operating illegal gambling businesses, among other individual charges.
Between July 1, 2022, and May 13, 2025, the suspects created deceptive internet arcade games, skill game arcades and adult arcades that were part of an illegal gambling business.
The arcades held contests of chance, gambling devices and slot machines, in violation of Missouri’s strict gambling laws. State law prohibits most forms of gambling outside licensed casinos.
The arcades were:
- Big Win Arcade #1, 1928 S. Glenstone Avenue, Springfield
- Big Win Arcade #2, 1135 E. Commercial Street, Springfield
- Spin Hitters, 838-840 S. Glenstone Avenue, Springfield
- Vegas Arcade, 615 S. Scenic Avenue, Springfield
- Spin zone, 2331 E. 7th St., Joplin
- Vegas City Arcade, 16585 Missouri Highway 13, Branson West
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson and Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced a joint initiative in March to hold businesses accountable under the state’s gambling laws, giving companies until July 1 to remove all gambling devices.
“Illegal slot machines are wreaking havoc in our communities, exploiting the vulnerable, and often funneling money into criminal networks,” Hanaway said in the announcement. “Prosecutor Johnson and I will not stand for it.”
Patel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He could face up to 45 years in federal prison without parole.
