Illegal gambling machines seized
Thirteen illegal gambling machines were removed from two minimarts in East Lansdowne and Clifton Heights following an undercover investigation in November, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced Wednesday.
“Unauthorized gaming machines have proliferated in convenience stores, pizza parlors, and laundromats throughout the commonwealth,” Stollsteimer said in a release. “Due to inaction in Harrisburg, these devices are currently unregulated, with no oversight to determine if the machines are operating fairly and no prohibition on minors playing the games. As district attorney, I am committed to supporting law enforcement in its effort to protect Pennsylvanians from the harms associated with illegal gambling.”
Six video gambling machines were seized from the Sunoco Mini Mart at 555 E. Baltimore Pike in Clifton Heights in November and transported to the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division, according to the release. The operating defendant in that instance was identified as “Bhamran Gas and Wash Inc.”
Another search warrant served at the Exxon Mini Mart at 1001 Baltimore Pike in East Lansdowne resulted in another seven video gambling machines being seized and transported to CID, the release says. The defendant in that case is identified as “1001 Baltimore Ave East Lansdowne LLC.”
The Pennsylvania Legislature legalized gambling in 2004 and there are currently about 24,000 slot machines in the state’s 12 licensed casinos. Video Gaming Terminals – or “VGTs” – can also be found in approximately 44 authorized truck stops throughout the commonwealth. Both are regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which sets minimum payout requirements and puts restriction in place for use by minors.
The release indicates there are more than 20,000 illegal gaming devices like those seized in November operating in the state. The owners of these devices claim that they are games of “skill” rather than
“chance,” though games of “skill” have never been authorized by the General Assembly and there are no regulations to ensure consumer protections like those in place for other types of gaming devices, the release says.
“While we believe that Harrisburg should enact clarifying legislation, pending such action, we will continue to work closely with the Pennsylvania State Police to investigate and prosecute the operators of these illegal machines,” said Stollsteimer. “We agree with the PSP that the manufacturers of these games do not do enough to calibrate their odds to avoid gouging consumers and to ensure that minors are not permitted to play these games.”
Stollsteimer thanked the state police, Liquor Enforcement Officer David Schoppe, Delaware County Detective John Hoffner and Deputy District Attorney Doug Rhoads for their work in the case.
“The operators of these illegal machines need to understand that we take our obligation to protect the citizens of Delaware County against illegal gambling seriously,” said Stollsteimer.