A joint investigation by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has resulted in police seizing 56 gaming machines and more than $12,700 in alleged illegal gambling profits during raids last week at a trio of gas stations and a self-described “skill arcade” in Mundy.
The gas stations were located in Redford, Taylor, and Allen Park, according to a press release from the MGCB, and one machine was removed from each. Meanwhile, the Hot Spot Skill Arcade in Mundy had 53 machines removed.
“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,” Henry Williams, the executive director of the MGCB, said in the release. “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.”
The machines, which were taken from the gas stations on Sept. 28, included one slot machine and a pair of “coin pusher” machines, where a player inserts a quarter in hopes that the machine will push other quarters (or paper currency) off the game’s platform and into a tray where the player can collect the money. State officials seized $3,295 from inside the coin-pusher machines and $290 from inside the slot-style gaming machine.
Not so hot
As for the Hot Spot, the Department of Attorney General alleged in the press release that customers there were given the opportunity to “play casino-style games in conjunction with a purchase of overpriced snacks and merchandise” and “allegedly received so-called ‘promotional’ game play by making purchases and received cash awards for winning.”
A total of $9,141 in alleged gaming-related cash was seized on Sept. 29 at the Hot Spot. The Allen Park Police Department, Redford Township Police Department, and Michigan State Police assisted with executing all the search warrants.
Photo: Shutterstock
