Due to a lack of investigators, the Michigan Gaming Control Board is seeking the public’s assistance in cracking down on unregulated gaming machines. It has asked bars, restaurants, gas stations and convenience store owners not to purchase or lease the illegal gaming machines and to disable them if they already own them. And it has requested that gamblers not play them.
Henry Williams, executive director of the gaming board, said it has no estimate on how many gaming machines are illegally operating in the state. Nor does the board know how much money the machines are taking in or how much the state is losing in tax revenue.
Williams said the board is concerned that without help, the number of machines will grow and lead to more crime. “Illegal gambling can lead to other, more serious crimes that compromise safety in Michigan communities. Citizens who use these unregulated machines also have little recourse” if they discover they’re being cheated by a machine, he said.
Businesses caught with an unauthorized gambling machine could lose their liquor and lottery licenses and face misdemeanor or felony charges and fines. To date, Williams said, the board has seized 1,033 machines and $248,518 in cash and has issued 246 felony and misdemeanor charges.
Michigan Liquor Control Commission Chairperson Pat Gagliardi said liquor license holders who allow illegal gambling and do not remove illegal gambling devices from their businesses also can face charges. “Illegal gambling is considered a serious violation by the commission. The penalties from a violation can include fines, suspension or revocation of a liquor license,” Gagliardi said.
Williams stated, “With additional education, we hope business owners will do the right thing and not offer illegal gaming in their establishments. However, we are prepared to enforce Michigan law and take action against those who violate it.”
He noted only 78 public tips were received in 2020, 92 in 2019 and 86 in 2018. The public can report illegal gambling machines anonymously on the state’s tip line: 888-314-2682.
