Another Harvard Blog

The state investigators of Philadelphia started the mission to seize the illegal video-poker machine distribution network. The Philadelphia investigators were successful to some extent as they were able to seize hundreds of poker machines from different areas like warehouses. The person who placed the video poker machines in the warehouses was found guilty for his crime but wasn’t arrested. His name was Curtis Arbitman. Curtis Arbitman spoke to the investigators through his lawyer Arnold Silverstein. After seizing the machines in warehouses, the investigators also seized all the remaining video-poker machines which belonged to Curtis Arbitman.

Most of the investigators were also on the team which built loan-sharking case. All the video poker machines owned by Curtis Arbitman were not licensed and were seized because they were considered illegal. The involvement of mob in the distribution of video-poker machines couldn’t be determined. Video-poker machines are being used from last several years as money makers from criminals. The major bars like Colanzi’s and Quattro were also raided yesterday by FBI and investigators, many of the illegal poker machines were found there too. Many of the machines found in the warehouses and bars which were marked as illegal were having a sticker on them “For Amusement Only” however, the sticker was removed by the investigators before presenting the machines to the court. The investigators pasted the “Evidence” sticker over the amusement sticker.

Keeping poker machines in family areas in considered illegal in Philadelphia and that was the reason for seizing the machine that were found in Quattro because Quattro advertises itself as an area for Food, Fun and Family. After being seized, the poker machines were placed on the sidewalks for the trucks to pick them up and deliver to the station. One of the major bosses of the mob Ralph Natale admitted that he was involved in this poker business; it was a huge revenue source for him. Many other Bosses like Jospeh were also found guilty. This act of the law of seizing the video poker machines have made a lot of changes in the gambling world as many other poker businessmen have been warned to stop illegal activates or action will be taken against them. The few hours spent by the investigators from 9:00 am in the morning till the evening turned very fruitful and they were successful in controlling the illegal usage of video-poker machines.