Written by :
Published on :
PHOENIX – (Associated Press) - Nearly 60 gambling machines were seized at more than 40 businesses across the valley and agents believe a criminal organization from California is behind the illegal machines.
State and federal investigators served search warrants at smoke shops, gas stations and markets over the weekend. The businesses had games similar to slot machines that allowed players to earn credits and cash them in for money -- but that's against the law.
The machines were taken from businesses everywhere from Surprise to Mesa to Phoenix.
On Tuesday, we saw one of the seized machines. They're not high-tech, but agents with the Arizona Department of Gaming say they were bringing in high dollars.
"It reads 'For Amusement Only' but ADG agents say this machine and many others around the valley were being used for illegal gambling.
"The machine itself wouldn't pay out, but players or patrons would accumulate points and go to the owner or whoever was working at the convenience store and be paid out based on the credits they accumulated on the devices," said Mark Brnovich, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming.
On Saturday, agents went to 45 businesses throughout the valley, mostly "mom and pop" convenience stores, gas stations and bars. They seized 54 gambling machines and even five coin pusher machines -- all containing cash.
"In this instance where you have prizes, significant cash prizes designed to lure or separate people from their money, that's where it becomes illegal," said Brnovich.
Law enforcement in California alerted agents that a criminal enterprise was moving the machines into the state, targeting mom and pop shops.
Brnovich says the owners of these machines would let the stores have them in exchange they would split all the money that was put into them.
In one of the devices, there was more than $1,600 in play.
In the last year, more than 100 illegal gambling machines were seized in Arizona.
"I think the public has a strong appetite for gambling and what we've seen here in the last few years is a dramatic increase in the number of illegal gambling devices within our community. Would it surprise me there are more illegal gambling devices out there? No," said Brnovich.
No arrests have been made.
The Attorney General is reviewing the case to see if the owners of stores where the devices were found will face charges.
Investigators say right now, their focus is tracking down the people making the devices.
