Despite the availability of numerous legal Michigan gambling options in the state, illegal gambling still happens in Michigan. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced on Oct. 4 the seizure of 56 gaming machines and more than $12,700 in alleged illegal gambling profits during late-September raids.
Four raids took place on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29 at Redford Township, Taylor and Allen Park gas stations, and a Flint-area store. Joint investigations were led by MGCB and the Michigan Attorney General.
56 slot machines seized from alleged illegal gambling
Investigations targeted alleged illegal gambling at gas stations located at:
- 25845 Eight Mile Road, Redford Township,
- 8808 Pelham Road, Taylor,
- 19350 Ecorse Road, Allen Park.
- 5542 Fenton Road, Mundy Township, near Flint
According to the press release, the fourth location, known as The Hot Spot, offered customers the opportunity to play casino-style games in conjunction with purchasing overpriced snacks and merchandise.
Customers received promotional gameplay by making purchases and got cash rewards for winning. More precisely, investigators seized $9,141 in alleged gaming-related cash on Sept. 29 when law enforcement executed a search warrant.
Investigators removed one gaming machine from each gas station and 53 machines from the Mundy Township storefront.
Machines seized from the Redford Township, Taylor and Allen Park gas stations on Sept. 28 included one slot-style gaming machine and two so-called “coin pushers.”
One slot-style gaming machine and two “coin pushers” were seized from Redford Township, Taylor and Allen Park gas stations on Sept. 28. State officials seized $3,295 from inside the coin pushers and $290 from the slot-style machine.
MGCB works closely with local law enforcement agencies
The Allen Park Police Department, Redford Township Police Department and Michigan State Police assisted with executing the search warrants.
Henry Williams, the executive director of the MCGB, said:
“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. 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.”
