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Owner of alleged Lawndale mini-market-turned-casino charged

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Some gamblers don’t know when to stop. Apparently, a Lawndale slot machine operator didn’t either.

The L.A. County district attorney’s office in Torrance charged a mini-market store owner last Thursday with the illegal possession of slot machines – found by police not once, but twice.

L.A. County Sheriff’s Department deputies first discovered what they called “a small casino” inside the business last November, according to a statement.

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The owner, Kasin Moosani, was then arrested for possession of more than 15 electronic slot machines. He was placed on probation by the court, and the machines were destroyed.

Speaking at a business license hearing last month intended to determine whether he could continue running the store, Moosani claimed he had been operating a legitimate business ever since.

But when authorities asked to return with him to the store for a surprise inspection, they discovered otherwise.

A ventilated and locked room hidden behind display racks held two more slot machines that appeared to have been used, authorities said.

The wheeled racks blocking the room’s entrance could be moved if a customer wished to play the slots, according to the Sheriff’s Department’s statement.

Security cameras and a metal security door had also been installed at the store on the 4300 block of 147th street.

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“Instead of a mini-market, he had a mini-casino,” Lt. John Hocking said.

Moosani, 29, was not arrested but is expected in court Oct. 2.

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Twitter: @emfoxhall

emily.foxhall@latimes.com

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