County: Fake Carmichael Internet Cafe Was Illegal Casino; Appeal Tuesday

A Carmichael business listed as a copy shop with coffee and snacks was actually a front for illegal electronic slot machines and keno, Sacramento County officials say.

The owner of Mr. M's Internet & Cafe, the business at 7741 Fair Oaks Blvd. which was shut down by county officials last year, is appealing the loss of the shop's business license. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will hear the item at 2 p.m. Tuesday, 700 H St.

Law enforcement officials visited the shop in February and March of 2012, according to a county staff report.

During the first visit, "Both walls and each side of the center isle were lined with computer terminals functioning as slot machines," the staff report states. "All customers observed at this time were playing on these machines. There was no evidence of any other business activity."

During the second visit, the business owners had added a few shelves with stationary, the county said.

An undercover county official played keno during visits to the shop, the staff report states.

Martel Mendoza, the owner of the business, appealed the loss of his business license in October and was denied.

"Mr. Mendoza testified on his own behalf and asserted that customers cannot purchase game credits," the county staff report said. "Instead they get free credits when they purchase something from his store. Notably, this theoretical method of operation did not play out in real life. ... Appellant's request for review does not challenge any of the factual findings, rather, appellant attempts to make a legal characterization to support its argument that its devices are a legal form of sweepstakes, as shall be shown, this is incorrect."

The board of supervisors will review the case Tuesday.

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