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Michigan Gaming Control Board uncovers illegal gambling operation in recent raid at Red Horse Bar in Saginaw
June 20, 2024
DETROIT, June 20, 2024 — On Wednesday morning, June 5, following a joint investigation by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), state investigators executed a search warrant at the Red Horse Bar, located at 4780 State Street in Saginaw.
Assisted by the Michigan State Police, authorities confiscated 6 slot-style gaming machines along with $2,820 in gift cards and $5,161 in suspected gambling proceeds from the location.
“The Michigan Gaming Control Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring compliance with all state gambling regulations,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “We will continue to work diligently to identify and eliminate any illegal gambling activities that pose a threat to the integrity of the industry and the welfare of the public.”
Following an investigation into a citizen’s tip, it was determined that illegal gambling was taking place at the Red Horse Bar. Despite the issuance of a cease-and-desist letter by the MGCB, the owners, Christopher and Nicholas Adams, failed to comply, leading to the raid that took place earlier this month on June 5.
The defendants were arraigned on felony gambling charges on Thursday, June 6 in the 70th District Court, located at 111 S. Michigan Avenue in Saginaw, and were each released on $6,000 personal bonds. A preliminary exam is scheduled for Monday, June 24 to further address the legal proceedings against the Adams brothers responsible for this alleged illicit operation.
The Michigan Penal Code broadly prohibits any kind of gambling except for what is authorized by law, with potential consequences for Michigan businesses operating gaming machines illegally including criminal charges and/or monetary fines. The MGCB publishes fact sheets about the law and unregulated machines on its website at Michigan.gov/MGCB and gives businesses who violate the law opportunities to comply before authorities become involved and have to confiscate equipment and money collected from the illegal operation.
Michigan residents with information regarding illegal gambling operations are encouraged to report illegal or suspicious gambling activity anonymously by calling the 24-hour tipline at 1-888-314-2682 or by sending a message (not anonymous) to MIGamblingTip@michigan.gov.
Gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, text 800GAM, or visit www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7 and is free and confidential. Michigan citizens can also visit the Responsible Gaming page of the MGCB website for information on self-exclusion programs including the Disassociated Persons List and the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database, and DontRegretTheBet.org for additional tools to game responsibly.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MGCB.
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