Sweepstakes Cafe Owner Turns Herself In

The 23 year-old owner of a Palm Harbor internet sweepstakes cafe turned herself in to authorities Wednesday afternoon. Megan Crisante brought her attorney when she surrendered at the Pinellas County Jail booking desk, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Crisante is charged with 44 counts of Possessing a Coin Operated Device and one count of Operating a Gambling Establishment. She was released after posting bond for one count of Operating a Gambling Establishment and was released on recognizance for the 44 counts of Possessing a Coin Operated Device.

Crisante, who lives in Sanford, turned herself in to authorities exactly one week after an arrest warrant was issued in her name. She is the owner of Palm Harbor Internet Services which is located at 38541 U.S. 19. 

Last July, Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies raided Crisante's business along with two other internet sweepstakes cafes in Pinellas County. Deputies seized 200 computers during the raids and confiscated $20,000 in cash claiming the businesses violated  Florida Gambling Statutes 849.15, 849.16 and 849.01. Palm Harbor Internet Services has been closed since then.

Sweepstakes cafes sell phone cards that also contain free sweepstakes points that can be used to play online games in the cafe. The controversy over their legality and safety has attracted national attention.

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