The GBI’s Commercial Gambling Unit, along with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, and in cooperation with the Georgia Lottery Corporation executed five search warrants in the Walker County area today for violations of Georgia’s commercial gambling laws.
More than 30 agents, investigators and deputy sheriffs executed the search warrants simultaneously.
Search warrants were served at two convenience stores, one tanning salon, and two suites in a strip mall location.
While searching the locations, agents collected evidence related to crimes of commercial gambling, seized monetary assets gained from the illegal use of gaming machines and seized 16 unlicensed Coin Operated Amusement Machines.
The two convenience store locations are currently licensed to operate Coin Operated Amusement Machines.
However, during the course of the investigation, agents discovered customers were receiving cash payouts for winning credits. In Georgia, credits may only be redeemed for lottery tickets and/or store merchandise.
The tanning salon and the strip mall suite are NOT currently licensed to operate Coin Operated Amusement Machines and were actively doing so in violation of Georgia law and Georgia Lottery rules and regulations.
Search warrants were executed at the following business locations:
· Citgo Discount Market, 1430 Wilson Road, Rossville
· Rossville Food Mart, 1436 Wilson Road, Rossville
· Maximum Tan, 3277 Chattanooga Valley Road, Flintstone
· Unnamed, 6060 Highway 193, Flintstone
· Unnamed, 6058 Highway 193, Flintstone
Multiple felony arrests are pending as a result of a lengthy investigation by the GBI and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office.