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.