Police: Tampa Internet cafe doubled as illegal gambling house

By TBO.com
Published: October 29, 2009

» Comments | Post a Comment

TAMPA --

Two attendants at an illegal gambling operation on Nebraska Avenue were arrested late Wednesday, police say.

Posing as patrons, undercover officers entered Sweepers Sweepstakes, 7243 N. Nebraska Ave., which police say was operating as an Internet cafe/sweepstakes business. Officers say the business used computers with various Las Vegas-style gambling games.

"Once inside, the attendants assisted them, explained the game systems to them, and eventually paid their winnings in cash," a police report states.

Patrick Venegas, 19, and William Wargo, 54, were arrested on charges of being agents for the keeper of a gambling house; each was released from jail this morning on $2,000 bail.

Police seized 31 computer systems and $400 connected to the gambling enterprise. They learned of the gambling operation after getting tips from neighbors.