The Parnell Poker Palace has actually been under investigation for over a year now, but it is
only recently that the Indiana Gaming Commission has gathered enough evidence to successfully
charge the said establishment. The Parnell Poker Palace is now facing charges against unlawful
charity gaming contracting, corrupt business influence, theft, and professional gambling.
The charges were filed against the property owner, George Kotsopoulos, Edward R. Miers, his
business partner and the three men who operate the "non–profit" organization, Ralph T.
White, Larry L. York and Charles I. Keller.
The Story so Far
The Parnell Poker Palace has actually been registered as a nonprofit gambling operation since
December 2008. It does not cater specifically to poker games but also hosts blackjack games,
roulette, and dice games. They raise money for the White's School of the Arts Community Development
Programs, a non–profit organization which offers 24–hour care, athletic, and education
programs for the children in the city. Apparently, though, Parnell Poker Palace has not been giving
all the funds to the right recipients, choosing to shove some of it in their pockets. Of the $100,000
that comes into this casino monthly, $20,000 was being pocketed by George Kostopoulos, a far cry from
the $2,400 that he is supposed to be charging. The "volunteers" were also receiving under the table
payments in exchange for their silence about the casino's illegal operations. $10 to 30 per hour was
the price given to them just so they would keep their true earnings from the casino a secret.
However, even with all the precautions that the offenders took in order to keep themselves safe, the
Indiana Gaming Commission was still able to get enough evidence to have them face multiple charges.
Now, the casino's operations have been halted and the people are just waiting for a schedule for the
trial. With hope, the court will rule in favor of the Gaming Commission and the Parnell Poker Palace
will be brought to justice.
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