New York resident pleads guilty in $9.36m Missouri gambling case
Six southwest Missouri arcades were used as fronts for an illegal gambling operation.
US.- Sunilkumar N. Patel, 53, of New York, has pleaded guilty in federal court to helping run an illegal gambling operation at six southwest Missouri businesses that generated about $9.36m in gross proceeds. He was charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to operate an illicit gaming operation, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud are the allegations.
According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri, the businesses were presented as amusement and skill-game arcades. Patel admitted they were instead used for games of chance, gambling devices and slot machines, in breach of Missouri and federal law.
Four of the locations were in Springfield: Big Win Arcade #1 at 1928 S. Glenstone Ave., Big Win Arcade #2 at 1135 E. Commercial St., Spin Hitters at 838-840 S. Glenstone Ave., and Vegas Arcade at 615 S. Scenic. The other two were Spin Zone at 2331 E. 7th St. in Joplin and Vegas City Arcade at 16585 Missouri Highway 13 in Branson West. Prosecutors say the businesses operated from July 2022 to May 2025.
