Police Find Suspected Illegal Gambling Near Flint
GENESEE TWP. (WWJ/AP) - Flint-area police say they confiscated 50 video slot machines after a raid on a suspected illegal gambling operation.
Officers began investigating after getting tips about suspected illegal activity inside a storefront in Genesee County's Genesee Township that had black tarp-covered windows and the words "Computer Repair & Sales" printed on the door.
Township Police Chief John Mullaly said officers raided the building Sept. 13.
"They were running one of the bigger gambling operations we've seen," Mullaly told The Flint Journal. "Most have operations have five or 10 machines. This one had 50."
No arrests have been made, but two men were questioned and released. It wasn't immediately known how much money may have been generated by the gambling operation, but Mullaly said the equipment - including computers and cash registers - was worth about $165,000.
To play, Mullaly said customers would buy a phone card and insert it into a machine. Winnings would be paid out at the business.
The gambling operation appears to have been open less than two weeks, he said, and became popular through word of mouth. Gambling in Michigan is legal only in designated areas, such as casinos.
Genesee Township Police are asking anyone who may have information about the case to contact them at 810-640-2000.
TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
