Details of alleged gambling ring begin to emerge

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The affidavits of 7 men charged in a gambling case were filed in the District Court on September 4, 2025, and reveal more details as to what is known about the alleged gambling establishment/ room and how it was established, including who the owners are and who holds the license.

Samoa News previously reported on this case, as it unfolded in District Court.

The affidavits explain that the case began on April 26, 2025, when the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security (ASDHS) received a video recording from an anonymous source, allegedly showing a gambling room in Nu’uuli. Two days later, on April 28th, the video was forwarded to the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The American Samoa Department of Commerce (ASDOC) also became involved when an anonymous source called the director of ASDOC with a complaint about the alleged gambling room in Nuuuli.

The ongoing case resulted in the arrest of six men:

The suspects apprehended were all charged with:

Count 1: Gambling, a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

Bails vary for the 6 men:

Te Qin Huang and Tavili Tuitupou had bails set at $1,000; while Cajetan Makuisa, Christopher Vaega, Floyd Amotai, and Levi Leasiolagi had bails set at $500.

There is a 7th man that was arrested during the initial raid — Fogavi Ese, whose bail was set at $200 — but he claims he was a customer not an employee. The other six claim to be employees of the alleged gambling room.

At least five other names are mentioned in the affidavits, but are not included in the charges that these affidavits lay out. The men are Ta'avili Jr. Tuitupou, whose said to hold the local license for the alleged gaming room; Sinapati Tuufaanatu, a security guard not on duty when the room was raided; Bin Feng, one of the two men that flew in from Hawai’i to oversee the room; Vani Vaega, a security guard that was fired for stealing; and, Ivan Moli who was involved in helping to set up the alleged gaming room but later bowed out, and claims to be a calabash-cousin/ brother to Tuitupou.

According to the court affidavits — which use the same account in each of the seven documents, including how the case came to the attention of the DPS — the content of the video recording first revealed the outside of a building in Nu'uuli, identifiable as that which previously housed the now-defunct "684 Cloud" business.

As the anonymous videographer entered the building, the footage further revealed that there were curtains behind the entrance door. Upon walking through these curtains, the footage inside the building showed around eight tabletop stations with interactive screens, as if it were a casino floor. The tables consisted of six joysticks and two buttons next to each joystick, and there were six bill acceptors below, for each station.

Each table was made for a maximum of six players.

To investigate the content of this footage, authorities decided to share the video with an anonymous source (hereinafter known as John Doe) who they thought would be able to provide some information. John Doe had experience with gaming establishments in Hawaii and had proven to be reliable in providing accurate information in the past. The authorities were confident that he could give reliable insights regarding the matter.

According to John Doe, the tabletop stations in the video are used for a game known as “Fish”. He explained how the game is played and stated that the tables are gambling machines. He further explained that you can spend an amount of ten to twenty dollars to play and win up to $10,000.00.

John Doe continued that he used to work as a security guard in two Fish game rooms in Hawaii for a period of about two years. He stated that it is popular in Hawaii, but it is also illegal there, and the FBI had shut down several game rooms in Hawaii. John Doe also disclosed that the distribution of illicit drugs is a known element at game rooms in Hawaii.

He stated that, in essence, the Fish tables pictured in the video footage were identical to those which he observed while working security in Hawaii.

In addition, John Doe explained how the game works.

He stated that you first insert the money inside the table through the bill acceptors; the amount of money you put in and how much you bet determines how many points you can get on each kill, the objective of the game. He explained that at some of the tables, Fish are swimming around the screen, and on the other, there are birds and animals.

He explained that the maximum bet at a Hawaii table is $5.00. He added that if you kill the phoenix, the biggest Fish, you get a massive amount of points. He disclosed that the payout from the game is based on the points you can earn while playing the game.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

On May 5, 2025, DPS received a letter from the Director of the American Samoa Department of Commerce (DOC), requesting an investigation into illegal gambling activity pursuant to an anonymous complaint she had received about gambling activity in Nu'uuli. The Director of DOC stated that she had received a call from an anonymous source who did not wish to be identified.

According to the interview with the Director, their inspection team lacked training for these purposes and for identifying illegal gaming machines.

During the investigation of the suspected gambling operation, a DOC inspector provided the authorities with photos of the building's interior, which resembled the video footage they observed.

The images showed large tabletop screens, folding chairs next to the tables, and decorative lights hanging on the building walls. Based on the review of the footage, authorities decided to investigate the building housing the suspected gambling operations.

The building is off the main highway in Nuuuli, next to the Le Roadside Fast Food establishment and across from the Paradise Bar and Grill restaurant. It is a one-story structure, off white in color, and the stairs are painted green. The building used to house a business, the 684 Cloud.

According to the documents provided by the DOC, the structure belongs to Tino Logoai and is currently leased to Ta'avili Jr. Tuitupou. The business is registered as an Arcade and Skilled Game establishment with Tuitupou listed as the sole owner, and it is named "Abundance Arcade".

THE CASE

A profile of Tuitupou revealed that he arrived in American Samoa on December 31, 2024, and then departed for Hawaii shortly on February 4, 2025.

Field surveillance was conducted in the area of Abundance Arcade starting on May 5, 2025, and revealed that the establishment was hardly busy during the day but was pretty busy at night. Observation also revealed that some people were dropped off at the establishment while others parked there and would stay from late night into the early morning of the next day.

On May 22, 2025, a police officer came forward with information that he knew of an arcade business on the island. The officer explained that a man known as Vani Vaega had approached him in the first week of April 2025 and invited him to his arcade in Nuuuli at the old 684 vape location. The officer added that Vaega told him to stop by and play a few games. Vaega also disclosed that an individual had won $3,000.00 from one of his machines from a top bet of $20.00 one night.

Independent research was conducted and later confirmed that recreational activity at electronic Fish tables is a form of gambling. It was also discovered that the electronic game mimics sports fishing and that players bet money in the game by selecting a fish to try to catch. The gameplay also involves striving to target Fish despite various game obstacles. The larger the Fish that the player ultimately catches, the larger the payout will be.

The entirety of the game is played in person at the Fish tables, which have large animated screens on the tabletop.

Furthermore, an application for a search warrant of the Abundance Arcade was submitted to the court on June 18, 2025, and was granted.

On July 19, 2025, at around 8:32 am, authorities executed the search warrant. Six men were present at the scene, where they were detained and taken in for questioning. The individuals were Christopher Vaega, Floyd Amotai, Levi Leasiolagi, Fogavi Ese, Te Qin Huang, and Bin Feng.

The search resulted in the confiscation of eight Fish table machines, electronic complex devices, documents, machine spare parts, certain controlled substances, and $46,261.00 in cash. A sign was also posted inside the game room that stated "IF YOU DO CASH OUT, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THE CASHIER".

Christopher Vaega was Mirandized first, to which he understood and agreed to make a statement. According to Vaega, it was last Christmas that his cousin Tufa Tagata in Hawaii called him and asked him to meet his friend Vili Tuitupou, who was on the island at the time. Vaega stated that Tagata told him to help Tuitupou as he was trying to open a business here on the island, and that's when he went and met with Tuitupou.

Moreover, Vaega further stated that Tagata later informed him that Tuitupou was hiring security guards for his business. Vaega claimed that he took the job because the pay is good. He stated that they get paid $10.00 an hour, and he also invited Amotai and Leasiolagi to apply for the job. He also revealed that it is a must for every player who cashes out to tip them as well, which is extra cash for them.

Vaega also mentioned that Huang and Feng run the establishment, and he also clarified that they relieve each other every month. He also added that Huang arrived last Monday from Hawaii to relieve Feng and that Feng was supposed to leave on June 19, 2025, while Huang takes over.

Vaega stated that Tuitupou hired them, and he claimed that he thought it was "more like gambling, like bingo, and he thought it was legal". Vaega was also questioned if the landlord ever visited the game room, and he stated that he never visited, but his wife would come and play. Vaega disclosed that some ladies would stop by the game room after bingo at night. Vaega was also questioned about Vani Vaega's involvement, and he explained that Vani Vaega was fired by Bin Feng about two weeks ago after he was caught stealing money from the machines.

Levi Leasiolagi was also Mirandized and agreed to make a statement and answer questions. According to Leasiolagi, he started working for the game room around the second week of March 2025. He stated that the establishment is run by the two Chinese (Huang and Feng), and their head securities were Chris Vaega and Amotai.

Leasiolagi also mentioned two other guards named Nick (later identified as Cajetan Makuisa) and Sinapati Tuufaanatu. He explained that he got paid daily for $10 an hour, and they usually work 12-hour shifts, and that the establishment is open 24 hours.

Leasiolagi further stated that the biggest cash out he witnessed was $2,000 to $3,000. He also showed frustration because all this time, he thought the business was legitimate. He also mentioned that he never met the person mentioned in the business license. Leasiolagi was also questioned about Vani Vaega's involvement, and he confirmed that he was also a security guard but was fired recently.

Floyd Amotai was Mirandized and also wished to make a statement.

According to Amotai, he was hired as a security guard and worked from 6 am to 6 pm. It was during the execution of the search warrant that straws and crystalline substances were discovered on Amotai and referred to the Vice and Narcotics Unit (VNU) for further investigation.

Fogavai Ese was also Mirandized, in which he also understood and agreed to give a statement and answer questions.

According to Ese, "he is just a player". He explained that he had known about the game room about two months ago and that the Chinese run it with five employees. Ese stated that sometimes the place is crowded, and since he played, he has only cashed out three times, and his cash outs were $1,200, $200, and $150, totaling $1,550.

Bin Feng was also Mirandized and waived his rights. He also agreed to make a statement and answer questions. Feng stated that he was hired by a man named Jimmy. He explained that Jimmy is half Chinese and half Thai and also owns a few game rooms in Hawaii. Feng claimed that Jimmy asked him if he wanted to work in the game room here in Samoa and showed him the business license. Feng stated that "in his mind, he thought it was ok".

Feng explained that he is more like a cashier and mentioned his position as a banker. He further explained that he collected money from the machines, counted it, paid the security guards, took his own pay, and then put the money inside the locker. He added that it was his daily routine, and Christopher Vaega and his boys handle the security.

Feng also mentioned that he never met Tuitupou in person. When he was shown a photo of Tuitupou, Feng continued to deny having any knowledge of Tuitupou. Feng also confirmed that Vani Vaega was fired after he was caught stealing money from the machines.

Te Qin Huang was Mirandized too, and agreed to make a statement and answer questions.

Huang admitted that he is a regular player at one of the game rooms in Hawaii, where he met a Samoan by the name of Moli. He claimed that Moli hired him to come and work for the game room in American Samoa, and also showed him the business license stating that it was a legal operation. Huang continued that he and Feng relieved each other every month.

Huang added that he first came and worked at the game room in American Samoa in March 2025. He explained that he is a banker and he takes care of the money. When his reliever comes, he passes the current balance of the money in the house. Huang also mentioned that in Hawaii, there is always someone who comes and picks up the money from the game room, but since the game room started, no one has come to pick up the money.

Huang continued that it is normal that most people want to be discreet. He was also able to explain how the machine works and confirmed what John Doe had mentioned to the authorities. Huang then clarified that the maximum bet for the machines at Abundance Arcade was $2.00. He explained that you can't cash out unless you win at least $50.00 or more in the game.

Both Huang and Feng mentioned that the Abundance Arcade game room was slow compared to the business traffic that the Hawaii game rooms typically received.

On June 22, 2025, Ivan Moli walked into the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) on his own accord to do an interview. According to Moli, Taavili Tuitupou is named after his uncle and came down in June 2024 for his uncle's birthday. Moli clarified that he is not related to Tuitupou by blood, but they have a relationship akin to that of brothers or cousins. Moli then claimed that Tuitupou recruited him, and at the time, he wasn't aware of any details, crimes, or violations committed in Hawaii regarding such game rooms. He explained that Tuitupou approached him last year (2024) about helping him and his investors start a game room.

Moli added that "in his head, it didn't sound harmful". Tuitupou explained to him that it was similar to bingo. Tuitupou told him that all that players do is to shoot the Fish to win the money. Tuitupou tasked him to look for a location for him and his investors. Moli said that he later met with Mark (Huang) and another Chinese named Elton, who were helping Tuitupou with his business. Moli claimed that it was not aware of the consequences it brought and went looking for a place. It just so happened that he knew a guy selling his spot in Nuuuli — it used to be a vape shop until vapes were banned. Moli continued that he asked an individual named Mathew Barja if he could help him secure the location. Tuitupou then sent $8,000 through his sister, of which $5,000 was given to the Vape Shop owner and the rest to hold the spot.

Furthermore, Moli stated that he researched what a game room was — mainly how it operated in Hawaii. He knew at this time that it wasn't for him and didn't want to be a part of it. Moli stated that Tuitupou came to the island around the New Year and was working on the business license and lease.

He claimed that he tried to delay the process by telling Tuitupou he was busy. However, Tuitupou managed to complete the business license and make a new lease.

Moli stated that "he preferred for his name to be off of everything". He also confirmed that Tuitupou, Huang, and Feng are business partners. Investigation later revealed that Moli's phone number was listed on the business license application.

On June 23, 2025, Cajetan Makuisa also turned himself in to the FPS, where he was interviewed regarding the game room. Makuisa stated that he had worked at the Abundance Arcade since its opening. He also confirmed getting paid $10 an hour.

Makuisa also claimed that he does not know who the owner is, but only knows that Feng and Huang relieved each other. Makuisa was later revealed to be Amotai's brother.

Sinapati Tuufaanatu was also interviewed at the FPS and claimed that he didn't know much and he had just started working for a few days. He then stated that it was only his second day on the job when it was raided. He said that Makuisa recruited him, and he was also paid $10.00 an hour.

The landlord was also interviewed, and he stated that he did not know about illegal gambling. He explained that the lease started last August 2025 and will end in August 2026. The landlord clarified that, according to Moli and Tuitupou, the business was for arcade games like Pac-Man. He denied any knowledge and concluded he only went there to collect his rent and went back home.

The documents that were confiscated included daily logs and signs posted within the game room that stated whoever cashes out needs to tip the security guards.

The total cash seized during the search was approximately $46,261.00. About $13,054 was "bank money" according to a game room log recovered during the search.

Moreover, $3,260.00 was for Feng, and the remaining $29,947 was suspected "house money". Some of the money was found inside the office drawer and inside a bag, while the rest was in the white locker that Feng had mentioned. There wasn't much money in the machines; less than $100.00.

The investigation later revealed that the bank money was the fund from which players in the game rooms were paid winnings. At the end of each 12 hours, the game room would tally the amount of money earned,including payout, and pay for the security guard(s) and the cashier.

From the facts and findings gathered in this investigation, the affidavits state:

1.  It is known that the building was leased by the owner of the building to Taavili Tuitupou.

2.  Tuitupou applied for a business license for Arcade and Skilled Games.

3.  The establishment is maintained and operated by Huang and Feng.

4.  Security was provided by Christopher Vaega, Levi Leasiolagi, Floyd Amotai, Nick Amotai, Cajetan Makuisa, Sinapati Tuufanatu, and Vani Vaega, who was fired after stealing money from the machines.

5.  It was also revealed that Tuitupou, Feng, Huang, and another Asian male known as Elton are business partners.