An Indian national has pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in a multi-million-dollar illegal gambling conspiracy at six locations in southwest Missouri, according to an April 29 announcement from the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
Rahulkumar D. Patel, age 41 and residing in Washington state, entered his plea before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., admitting to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Patel acknowledged that he and co-conspirators obtained about $7.7 million through wire fraud schemes and illegal gambling operations before laundering the proceeds through various financial transactions. The businesses operated under names such as Big Win Arcade #1 and #2, Spin Hitters, Vegas Arcade (all located in Springfield), Spin Zone (Joplin), and Vegas City Arcade (Branson West). According to the release, local employees were hired to work at these arcades which offered games of chance using slot machines or other devices that violated both Missouri and federal law.
Patel was charged along with eight others by a federal grand jury on May 14, 2025. The indictment included charges of conspiracy related to wire fraud and operating illegal gambling businesses between July 2022 and May 2025; most defendants also faced money laundering counts.
If convicted on all counts for which he pleaded guilty, Patel faces up to 20 years for wire fraud conspiracy, five years for operating an illegal gambling business conspiracy, and another 20 years for money laundering conspiracy without parole eligibility. Sentencing will follow a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark following investigations involving multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations; Federal Bureau of Investigation; IRS-Criminal Investigations; local police departments from Springfield, Joplin, Kansas City; state authorities such as the Missouri State Highway Patrol; county prosecutors from Greene County, Jasper County and Johnson County; as well as other partners.
This case falls under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159 aimed at combating criminal cartels and transnational organizations across the United States using interagency cooperation among several federal law enforcement entities.
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. Its offices are located in Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield according to its official website. The office is affiliated with the Department of Justice according to its official website and handles prosecutions across 66 counties covering territory from Iowa’s border southward toward Arkansas according to its official website. Collaboration with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners is central to its operations according to its official website.