“Justice Served: Michigan Gaming Control Board Delivers Sentencing in Flint’s Underground Gambling Ring”

DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2025 — The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has declared the sentencing of two persons engaged in running Cellular Bank, a Flint retail casino previously situated at 4622 North Saginaw Street.

Linos Antonio Kas-Mikha, 52, from Grand Blanc, and Robert Jamerson, 55, from Saginaw, were recently sentenced by Judge Elizabeth A. Kelly in the 7th Circuit Court in Genesee County after they entered guilty pleas on Oct. 15, 2024, to a single count of managing a gambling operation without a license.

• Kas-Mikha received a sentence of 12 months of probation and was instructed to pay $1,448 in penalties, fees, and court expenses.
• Jamerson was also sentenced to 12 months of probation. He was awarded three days of jail time credit.

In exchange for their guilty pleas, three other felony charges were dropped against both individuals, which included two counts of utilizing computers to commit a crime and one charge of maintaining a gambling establishment for profit.

“The Michigan Gaming Control Board is committed to preserving the integrity of gaming within our state,” stated MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. “The sentencing of these two defendants for their involvement in running an unlawful gambling operation at Cellular Bank conveys a strong message that unlicensed gambling operations will not be accepted. We also want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Attorney General’s office, whose assistance and cooperation were pivotal in this investigation and prosecution, ensuring a favorable conclusion.”

The inquiry into the illicit gambling operation commenced through a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the MGCB. In February 2024, felony gambling warrants were issued for Kas-Mikha and Jamerson after authorities discovered 11 standalone slot machines, akin to those found in commercial casinos, along with 13 computers utilized for slot-style games at Cellular Bank. The establishment also supplied patrons with cards containing PINs, permitting them to place bets online from remote locations, including their residences.

“This highlights the significance of shielding our community from illegal activities that damage our neighborhoods and take advantage of vulnerable residents,” remarked Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. “Flint is dedicated to backing efforts that uphold the law and protect the welfare of our citizens. I commend the Michigan Gaming Control Board and the Attorney General’s Office for their attentive work in delivering justice.”

The MGCB urges the public to report suspected illegal gambling by contacting the agency at 1-888-314-2682 or sending an email to MIGamblingTip@michigan.gov.