Two Alleged Flint Area Storefront Casinos Raided

Nearly $30,000 and 100 gambling devices were seized recently in a pair of raids on alleged Flint area storefront casinos, the Michigan Gaming Control Board announced Tuesday.

The raids took place Wednesday, April 27, at The State Road Spot in Davison and The Bristol Spot in Burton. They followed a joint investigation by the MGCB and the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General.

“Illegal gambling machine operations bring unwanted crime to communities across Michigan and deprive school districts of gaming tax revenue from the state to support education,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said in a release. “The MGCB works to educate citizens and businesses about illegal gambling and to support state and local officials’ efforts to remove machines used illegally.”

Alleged storefront casinos were affiliated

A tip led to the investigation into The Bristol Spot, located at 1374 East Bristol Road in Burton. That led to the discovery of an affiliated operation: The State Road Spot, located at 723 South State Road in Davison.

Investigators seized 12 full-size standalone gaming machines and 23 gaming computer towers at The Bristol Spot. The State Road Spot included 11 standalone gaming machines and 54 gaming computer towers.

They also seized $29,204 in suspected gambling profits and 62 gift cards.

The MGCB encourages Michigan citizens to report suspicious or illegal gambling activity by calling its 24-hour anonymous tip line at (888) 314-2682. Fact sheets about Michigan law and unregulated machines used for illegal gambling are available on the MGCB website.

Michigan cracking down on illegal gaming operations

These raids are not the first carried out by the MGCB and Attorney General this year.

Two alleged Lansing storefront casinos were raided in March, with $91,000 and more than 80 illegal machines being seized.

Illegal gaming operations still exist despite the presence of a thriving legal industry in Michigan. There are 26 physical casinos in the state, as well as 15 online sportsbooks and online casinos.

This is far from just being just an issue in Michigan. The American Gaming Association recently wrote a letter urging the US Department of Justice to take stronger action against illegal gaming operators.

The AGA claims illegal operations are a threat to consumers and the government entities who miss out on the potential tax revenue. It also acknowledges the monetary interest its members have in eliminating such operators.