56 suspected gambling machines through multiple raids
State investigators are accused of 56 game consoles and more than $12,700 in illegal gambling proceeds in raids seized Sept. 28 and 29 at Redford Township, Taylor and Allen Park gas stations and Flint-area stores. The four raids involved several joint investigations led by the Michigan Attorney General and the Michigan Game Control Board.
The investigation involved suspected illegal gambling at gas stations located at 25845 Eight Mile Road, 8808 Taylor Pelham Road, and 19350 Eccos Road, Allen Park. The fourth location, hot spot, is a shopping district at 5542 Fenton Road, Mundy Township, near Flint. Investigators removed one game console from each gas station and 53 from the Mundy Township shopping district.
"We've seen an increase in complaints about illegal gambling charges, and we appreciate the help we've received from citizens calling our tip line at 888-314-2682," said Henry Williams, executive director of the Michigan Game Control Board. "MGCB works closely with local law enforcement to investigate illegal gambling places that may bring unwanted crime to the region without providing protection related to legal and regulated gaming."
The machines seized at Redford Township, Taylor and Allen Park gas stations on Sept. 28 included a slot-style game console and two so-called "coin pushers." When using a coin pusher machine, players take the opportunity to deposit quotas and slide them into a tray where players can collect them from the front edge of the game platform. The machine owner also receives cash from coins collected by the machine. State officials seized $3,295 from inside the coin pusher machine and $290 from inside the slot-style game console.
The Mundy Township store is said to have offered customers the opportunity to play casino-style games, along with overpriced snacks and merchandise purchases. Customers received so-called "promotional" gameplay and reportedly won cash prizes for victory by making a purchase. On September 29, a search warrant was executed at a Mundy Township store, resulting in the seizure of a total of $9,141 in game-related charges.