Two people alleged to be responsible for one of the most active and sophisticated storefront casino rings in recent memory are facing a total of eight felony charges, according to a recent press release issued by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).

Linos Antonio Kas-Mikha of Grand Blanc and Robert Jamerson of Saginaw are each facing four felony charges: one count for running a gambling operation without a license, two counts for using computers to commit a crime and one count for maintaining a gambling house for gain at Cellular Bank in Flint.

Cellular Bank illegally housed 11 standalone slot machines and 13 computers used to play slot-style games. The business also provided patrons a card that allowed them to wager online from offsite locations.

As previously reported by US Bets’ sister site, MI Bets, Kas-Mikha and Jamerson were so brazen with their activities that they kept the machines up and running at businesses they owned nearby (The Cellular Vault and Flint Arcade) for a year after the initial MGCB raid at Cellular Bank.

Along with the criminal charges, the City of Flint is seeking a forfeiture of the building that formerly housed Cellular Vault and Flint Arcade.

“Illegal gambling operations harm the public health and safety of our community by creating environments where bad actors can prey on vulnerable people,” Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said in a press release. “The City of Flint is seeking forfeiture of another building allegedly used for illegal gambling activity with the intent to return it to a positive use for Flint residents. I want to thank the Michigan Gaming Control Board for taking strong action to protect Flint residents from people who seek to profit from the pain of our community.”

Destruction awaits gambling scofflaws

With a special sub-unit expressly devoted to busting dens of wagering iniquity, no state cracks down on illegal mom-and-pop gambling operations like Michigan. Enforcement updates spin out of the MGCB’s press room like taffy at a candy kitchen, with various tidbits capable of providing the photo imagery accompanying the dates on a pinup calendar.

There was perhaps no greater show of the MGCB’s force than when the agency released footage in October of illegal gambling machines being crushed by an excavator at a Detroit junkyard. They will destroy you, slot scofflaws — just you wait.

Photo: Getty Images