Michigan officials have seized 56 gaming machines and more than $12,700 in alleged illegal gambling profits during recent raids in Southeast Michigan. According to the state’s Gaming Control Board, the raids took place at Redford Township, Taylor and Allen Park gas stations, and a Flint-area store on September 28 and September 29.
Investigations targeted alleged illegal gambling at gas stations located at 25845 Eight Mile Road, Redford Township; 8808 Pelham Road, Taylor; and 19350 Ecorse Road, Allen Park. The fourth location, The Hot Spot, is a storefront at 5542 Fenton Road, Mundy Township.
Investigators removed one gaming machine from each gas station and 53 machines from the Mundy Township storefront, according to Michigan Live. Machines seized included one slot-style gaming machine and two so-called “coin pushers”. Officials seized $3,295 from inside the coin-pusher machines and $290 from inside the slot-style gaming machine.
When using a coin-pusher machine, a player deposits quarters, taking a chance on quarters and/or paper currency getting pushed off the front edge of the game’s platform into a tray where the player can collect them, authorities explained. The machine owner also receives cash from coins the machine collects.
State investigators seized 56 gaming machines and more than $12,700 in alleged illegal gambling profits during raids Sept. 28 and 29 at Redford Township, Taylor and Allen Park gas stations and a Flint-area store. Read the full release here: https://t.co/YdPRDCXQvC pic.twitter.com/zjSue96Gr0
— Michigan Gaming Control Board (@MichiganGCB) October 4, 2022
The Mundy Township storefront allegedly offered customers opportunities to play casino-style games in conjunction with a purchase of overpriced snacks and merchandise. Customers allegedly received so-called “promotional” game play by making purchases and received cash awards for winning. A total of $9,141 in alleged illegal gambling-related cash was seized.
“We’ve seen an increasing number of complaints about alleged illegal gambling, and we appreciate the help received from citizens who call our tip line at 888-314-2682,” said Henry Williams, Michigan Gaming Control Board executive director, in a press statement.
“The MGCB works closely with local law enforcement agencies to investigate alleged illegal gambling locations, which do not provide the protections associated with legal, regulated gaming and can bring unwanted crime to neighborhoods,” Williams further noted.
The Allen Park Police Department, Redford Township Police Department and Michigan State Police assisted with executing the search warrants. The four raids were associated with several joint investigations led by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Back in August, Michigan state investigators confiscated 11 video slot machines and 56 computers which were allegedly used for illegal gambling, along with $10,141 in suspected gambling proceeds and gift cards, during raids conducted at two Flint locations: The Cellular Vault and Cellular Bank.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2022/10/05/64520-michigan-officials-confiscate-56-gaming-machines-and–12-700-during-illegal-gambling-raids
