Honolulu prosecutor issues warning to game rooms

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HONOLULU — A letter from the Honolulu prosecutor’s office warns game room operators that certain machines are gambling devices.

HONOLULU — A letter from the Honolulu prosecutor’s office warns game room operators that certain machines are gambling devices.

The cease-and-desist letter signed by Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro warns machine owners they can face prosecution if they don’t get rid of them.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the letter is prompting a chain of game rooms to shut down operations at all nine of its Oahu locations.

A spokeswoman for Winner’z Zone says the company is seeking legal advice about the games listed on the cease-and-desist order.

A grand jury indictment earlier this month charges nine people with promoting gambling, possessing gambling devices and other charges. On April 30, a federal judge ruled in a civil case that people who use Products Direct Sweepstakes machines are gambling, which is illegal in Hawaii.