An Indian national pleaded guilty on Apr. 28 in federal court to participating in a multi-million-dollar illegal gambling and money laundering conspiracy at six locations across southwest Missouri.
Rahulkumar D. Patel, age 41, who resides in Washington state, admitted guilt before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to the plea agreement, Patel and his co-conspirators obtained about $7.7 million from their wire fraud scheme and illegal gambling operations by running businesses disguised as internet amusement arcades and skill game arcades that actually operated contests of chance with slot machines at four Springfield locations—Big Win Arcade #1 at 1928 S. Glenstone Ave., Big Win Arcade #2 at 1135 E. Commercial St., Spin Hitters at 838-840 S. Glenstone Ave., Vegas Arcade at 615 S. Scenic—as well as Spin Zone in Joplin and Vegas City Arcade in Branson West.
Patel was charged alongside eight others on May 14, 2025, with a total of seventy-two counts including wire fraud and money laundering related offenses spanning from July 2022 through May 2025.
Under federal statutes, Patel faces up to twenty years for two counts and five years for another count without parole; however the final sentence will be determined by the court after a presentence investigation is completed by the United States Probation Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark following investigations led by several agencies including Homeland Security Investigations; Federal Bureau of Investigation; IRS-Criminal Investigations; local police departments from Springfield, Joplin, Kansas City; Missouri State Highway Patrol; county prosecuting attorneys; Missouri National Guard Counter Drug Unit; Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center.
This prosecution falls under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159 which aims to dismantle criminal cartels operating within the United States through interagency collaboration focused especially on crimes involving children or violent criminal aliens.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri supports community outreach programs addressing violent crime and drug trafficking according to its official website. The office operates out of Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield according to its official website, is affiliated with the Department of Justice according to its official website, handles prosecutions across sixty-six counties according to its official website, covers territory stretching from Iowa’s border southward into Arkansas according to its official website, and collaborates with various law enforcement partners according to its official website.
