Bar owners, employee appear in court
Warren businesses accused of breaking state gaming lawsBy MARLY KOSINSKI Tribune Chronicle
WARREN - Two bar owners and a bar employee charged with gambling violations are due in Warren Municipal Court Nov. 14.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety's investigative unit filed charges Tuesday against Up A Creek owners Mark Matash and Scott Rogers, Club 2357 owner Michael Nicholas and barmaid Kerry Kish, and Paris Cafe owner Charles List Jr.
List appeared in court Wednesday on single misdemeanor counts of operating a gambling house and possession of criminal tools. He pleaded innocent and was released on a personal recognizance bond, court records show.
Paris Cafe, 1635 N. Park Ave., received seven citations from the state - five from June 27 and two from Aug. 12.
Nicholas and Kish appeared in court Thursday on misdemeanor counts of operating a gambling house and possession of criminal tools, as well as felony counts of conducting an illegal bingo game and possession of criminal tools. The more serious charges relate to selling instant bingo tickets, according to a city prosecutor.
Both pleaded innocent and were released on personal recognizance bonds.
Club 2357, formerly known as Big Mike's Club, 2357 N. Park Ave., received 20 citations related to gambling devices and public gaming. Five violations occurred July 3, 10 occurred July 24 and five occurred Aug. 12, according to the state investigative unit.
Hearing dates have not been set yet for Matash and Rogers, each who are charged with single counts of operating a gambling house and possession of criminal tools. They had not appeared in court as of Thursday afternoon.
Their business, Up A Creek, 4793 E. Market St., was given 10 citations in August relating to gambling devices and public gaming. ODPS said five violations occurred July 22 and five occurred Aug. 12.
An Ohio law signed in October 2007 strengthens the definition of the ''skill-based'' machines that are legal and limits to $10 cash payouts and prizes from such games.
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Billdog
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10-10-08 11:39 AM
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Again, If you don't share the wealth you get the stinky end of the stick.
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Mnich82266
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10-10-08 11:24 AM
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DeputyDog, In Ohio, if you ignore an orator on Decoration day to such an extent as to publicly play croquet or pitch horseshoes within one mile of the speaker’s stand, you can be fined $25.00 Women are prohibited from wearing patent leather shoes in public. It is illegal to fish for whales on Sunday. It is illegal to get a fish drunk. The Ohio driver’s education manual states that you must honk the horn whenever you pass another car. Participating or conducting a duel is prohibited. Breast feeding is not allowed in public. It is illegal for more than five women to live in a house. It is illegal to mistreat anything of great importance. I'm sure you abide by all these stupid Laws, HUH? LOL
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pahootaman
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10-10-08 11:04 AM
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I'll remember that gambling is illegal next time I buy a scratch off ticket DeputyDog.
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DeputyDog
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10-10-08 9:32 AM
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I couldn't care less one way or another, where gambling is concerned. I do however, care about abiding by the law. It may be a stupid law, but still one that should be obeyed.
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Mnich82266
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10-10-08 7:20 AM
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. The charges these bar owners are facing are stupid. Ya, they’re “Illegal” BLA BLA BLA. The Skill games don’t make the business owner much, believe me. The tickets on the other hand do. But, you can’t expect them to make money on the alcohol alone. That’s just ludicrous. Just legalize gambling already! Obviously, I’m all for gambling to generate some type of revenue in Ohio I've also been to Niagara on both sides, New York and Canada, West Virginia and Tunica, Mississippi. Awesome places to go with a lot of people working. Hell, every time I go to Mountaineer, the majority of license plates are from OHIO! Many of the people that work there are from OHIO! Ohio needs to get their heads out of their ear or wherever it may be. Though I think it may be too late.
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pahootaman
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10-10-08 6:49 AM
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werd stockpile. I never really found the argument that gambling would ruin society as we know it if we let it into Ohio very much compelling. I don't think of Niagara Falls as a hot bed of debauchery, on the contrary, it's quite nice. I can't say that for Detroit though, but gambling casinos isn't what ruined that city. Long story short, Detroit *****.
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stockpile
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10-10-08 5:48 AM
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It is time that Ohio permits gambling games. Better to support Ohio than neighboring States. It is time to put forth Ohio .
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