Michigan Police Seize Slot Machines
Crime pays: authorities in the Midwestern state of Michigan have confiscated 67 gambling machines and over $10,000 in cash after they conducted raids on two alleged illegal gambling operations located in the city of Flint. The evidence was seized as part of investigations by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).
Authorities in the Midwestern state of Michigan have seized 67 gambling machines and over $10,000 in cash after raids on two illegal gambling operations in the city of Flint. ©PhotosByMahin/Pixabay
Raids Took Place on Two Businesses in City of Flint
The law serves to win another day in the US state of Michigan: state authorities have come out and announced that they have confiscated 67 gambling machines and more than $10,000 worth of cash after they conducted two raids on two suspected illegal gambling operations located in the city of Flint.
The raids in question occurred on August 18th, 2022 at two illicit gambling locations in Flint: The Cellular Vault and Cellular Bank, with law enforcement investigators seizing the following illegal contraband: 11 video slot machines, 56 computers and $10,141 in alleged gambling proceeds and gift cards.
The evidence which came in the form of machines, cash, and all other associated equipment and business records were confiscated as a result of joint investigations into the two businesses by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).
In terms of the spread of evidence between both illegal betting locations – The Cellular Vault housed 39 computers used to play slot-style games, while 11 slot machines, as well as 13 computers used to play slot-style games, were uncovered at Cellular Bank.
One Located Offered Bettors Online Wagering from Offsite Locations
As if the above evidence weren’t enough, the investigation into the illicit gambling operation occurring at The Cellular Vault and Cellular Bank in Flint, Michigan also discovered that Cellular Bank had been giving patrons a card with a PIN number, the purpose of which was to give them the ability to bet online from offsite locations, including their own homes.
Executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) Henry Williams, which was part of the investigation into the illegal operations in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, revealed that the two’s investigation was kickstarted thanks to anonymous tips:
“The MGCB received several anonymous tips regarding both Flint locations, and we thank the public for their help in rooting out possible illegal gambling activities.”– Henry Williams, Executive Director, Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), Press Release
Williams went onto remind observers that those patronizing illegal storefront casinos are not protected by the usual consumer protection laws which cover legal gambling operations, thereby also bringing in the risk of additional crime:
“Patrons at alleged storefront casinos do not have access to the consumer protections required for legal, regulated gambling. The operations also can draw other types of crime to the surrounding neighborhoods.”
This latest instance of an illegal gambling bust in Michigan arrives not long after investigators in April 2022 confiscated 100 devices used for gambling and $29,200 in suspected gambling profits from two other supposed storefront casinos. The properties in question, The State Road Spot in Davison and The Bristol Spot in Burton, still remain under investigation as of writing.
Michigan Gaming Control Board Announced Fantasy Licenses in May 2022
More gambling news from the state of Michigan arrived in May 2022, when the chief gambling regulatory body in the state, The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), revealed that it had finally added fantasy contest operator license applications to its official website.
The agency is currently issuing two types of fantasy licenses, reminding applicants that an operator license is mandatory when offering fantasy contests for betting play. Interestingly enough, it also specified that a management company licensee will take care of the day-to-day fantasy contest operations for a given operator.
The initial operator’s license fee will be $10,000 and the annual license renewal fee is $5,000. The Michigan Gaming Control Board also reserves the right to assess the operators’ or companies’ investigative costs if they exceed the initial license or renewal fee.
Executive director Henry Williams, reinforced the fact that licensing is a key aspect in adhering to the state’s latest consumer protection act, pushing operators to apply as soon as they can:
“Licensing is a key step in fulfilling the requirements established by Michigan’s Fantasy Contests Consumer Protection Act. I urge operators to file soon for licensing so current operators can continue to participate and new ones can join them once rules have been approved by the Michigan Legislature.”– Henry Williams, Executive Director, Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), Press Release
Evolution Launched iGaming Offerings in Michigan in June 2022
A new online gambling operator stepped into the state of Michigan as recently as June 2022, with the popular provider announcing an agreement with Soaring Eagle Gaming, allowing it to start offering online casino content via its Evolution, NetEnt and Red Tiger brands in the Great Lake State.
Evolution will now begin furnishing its wide array of online casino games, including the likes of online Live Casino products and First Person RNG titles. The operator even chose to establish its very own Evolution live studio in the Midwestern state. Evolution’s selection of slot games and jackpots, operated by its Red Tiger brand, will also become available as part of the deal.
Jeff Millar, Commercial Director for North America at Evolution, hyped up a one-of-a-kind online gaming experience for Michigan gambling aficionados:
“We are absolutely delighted that Soaring Eagle Casino is now live with such a wide selection of games from brands within the group in Michigan. Players will be able to immerse themselves in a uniquely entertaining Soaring Eagle online gaming experience from anywhere in the state.”
