August 11, 2008

DETROIT. As part of an illegal gambling investigation conducted by the Michigan State Police (MSP) Gaming Section and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC), search warrants were served at seven liquor establishments in the Metropolitan Detroit area yesterday.

Citizen complaints dating back to 2006 prompted the investigation into allegations that local bars were paying customers for credits earned on video poker and video slot machines in violation of Michigan gambling laws and MLCC regulations. Maintaining a Gambling House is a 10-year felony.

Twenty-three video poker and slot machines, as well as $21,830 in cash were seized in the raids. One male subject was arrested on an outstanding felony larceny warrant and a female subject was arrested on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant.

Search warrants were executed at the following locations:
The Fillin Station, 49434 Gratiot, Chesterfield Township
Mothers II Lounge, 17808 E. 13 Mile Rd, Roseville
The Ugly Duckling Saloon, 20912 Harper, Harper Woods
The Coolidge Inn, 1267 N. Coolidge, River Rouge
The Coast Inn, 3654 W. Jefferson, Ecorse
My Place Bar, 806 Biddle St., Wyandotte
The Gin Mill Bar, 3904 W. Jefferson Ave., Ecorse

"Illegal gambling has a serious impact on local communities," stated D/Lt. Pamela Benzing, MSP Gaming Section, Special Operations team leader. "Video poker and slot machines are not regulated by the State of Michigan, which means bar owners and gambling machine vendors can profit by manipulating the odds on jackpots. In this investigation, some individuals gambled away their entire paycheck without winning a single cent."

To report illegal gambling in your community, please contact the MSP Gaming Section at (313) 456-4100.

Assisting the MSP Gaming Section and the MLCC were officers from the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Roseville Police Department, Harper Woods Police Department, Chesterfield Township Police Department, Troy Police Department, Clawson Police Department, Macomb County Sheriff's Department, Oakland County Sheriff's Department, Monroe Police Department, St. Clair Shores Police Department, Clinton Township Police Department, Sterling Heights Police Department, River Rouge Police Department, Wyandotte Police Department and the MSP Metro South Post.

Contact: D/Lt. Pamela Benzing, MSP Gaming Section, (313) 456-4100