Court filings name 42-year-old Ryan Jovon Delahuerta as the café’s owner. He was taken into custody on several misdemeanor charges, including promoting gambling, possessing gambling equipment, operating fringe gaming devices, and permitting gambling on the premises.

Authorities executed a search warrant at the location. During the operation, 28 individuals were detained; all but one —a 38-year-old employee —were later released. Officers confiscated over $56,000 in cash, multiple firearms, gambling machines, and illegal drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Undercover Investigation

Undercover officers had previously entered the business and used machines that hosted a “fish game,” which investigators say constituted a form of gambling. The café allegedly profited by taking a percentage of the money spent on these machines. Two of the devices were seized during the raid.

Further investigation revealed that revenue from My PodZzz was allegedly being funneled into another business, Urban Pawn in Murray, also owned by Delahuerta.

Utah Casino Laws

There are no commercial or tribal casinos in Utah allowed to operate in person or online.

Under Utah Code §76-10-1101, gambling is broadly defined as risking something of value on a game of chance, making even sweepstakes-style games and internet café machines potentially illegal. While the state has long frowned upon gambling, they have made no effort to punish players who access legal online Utah casinos, sportsbooks, or poker sites operating from outside of the state.

Online Casino Games For Utah Players

Utah residents can access online casino games through offshore sites, despite the state’s strict gambling laws. These platforms operate legally outside the U.S. and are not subject to Utah enforcement against individual players.

These international platforms are licensed in jurisdictions such as Gibraltar and Curaçao and offer a wide range of real-money games, including slots, poker, blackjack, and live dealer tables.

Many online casino sites also accept cryptocurrency and offer fast payouts, making them attractive alternatives for Utah players seeking casino-style entertainment.

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