Michigan authorities recently raided a residence and business for suspected illegal gaming. Following a search, they found $182,430 in gift cards.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, pictured above. She warned about the dangers of illegal gambling. (Image: Big Rapids Pioneer)
The gift cards were from Simon Property Group, a commercial real estate company based in Indianapolis, Ind.
Also confiscated were six slot-type video gaming machines. Four of them were Nudgemaster machines. They are coin-fed devices. Sometimes, winners on these machines will get gift cards or other non-cash prizes.
In addition, last week’s raid netted 11 computers and $6,306 in cash.
No arrests took place as of early this week.
The raids occurred on October 18 and were revealed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) on Monday.
One search took place at the PlayStation Bar and Grill in Bridgeport Township, Mich.
The second raid was at a residence in Goodrich, Mich. The resident there was the owner of the bar and grill, authorities said. He was also associated with Universal Video, Inc., which was identified by authorities as a supplier of Nudgemaster machines.
The raids took place after an anonymous tipster told authorities about the machines in the bar and grill and possible illegal gambling taking place there.
When investigators looked at the machines, some had a tag which read, “Property of Universal Video.” That’s when they got a second warrant to raid the PlayStation owner’s residence and the office of Universal Video, Inc., located in the house, authorities said.
By checking their records, officials also discovered that the PlayStation Bar and Grill’s owner previously owned a business in Grand Rapids named the Nudgemaster Cafe. That establishment was given a cease-and-desist letter by authorities in October 2019. It’s now closed.
Breaking the Law
“Business owners who house illegal, unregulated gaming machines in their establishments are breaking the law,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams warned in a statement after the recent raids.
Such activities lead to risk for increased crime, as well as risk to machine players because the machines do not fall under state regulations, Williams added.
The public is encouraged to contact us if they see a casino-type gaming machine in a restaurant, gas station, or convenience store,” Williams advised. “We investigate every tip and work hard to protect Michigan citizens from such crime in their neighborhoods.”
Danger to Neighborhoods
In addition, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement that, “Illegal gambling diverts revenues from our state and schools, and these operations can pose a danger to their neighborhoods as they typically attract other types of criminal activity.”
Working on the recent case were investigators from the MGCB, the Michigan Attorney General’s office, the Bridgeport Township Police Department, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
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