Illegal Gambling Rooms Raided

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Posted: 11:05 PM Aug 20, 2008
Last Updated: 12:18 AM Aug 21, 2008
Reporter: Janet Kim
Email Address: janet.kim@wkyt.com

13 comments

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Several business owners are facing felony charges after police crack down on illegal gambling. Five Pulaski County stores, from Somerset to Burnside, were raided. The Slate Branch Super Stop, Lakeway Shell, Louise's Food Mart, and the Southern Express were the businesses involved.

Pulaski County Sheriff's Department along with Burnside Police Department seized gambling machines from video poker to coin pushers in the stores. The investigation was launched after several customers complained.

Nearly 40 video poker machines along with thousands of dollars were confiscated. Police say the stores involved were convenience store type businesses. Police began searching the businesses after an undercover investigation revealed hidden gaming rooms.

"They were rooms closed off by a door, not visible to the general public," says Pulaski County Sheriff Todd Wood.

The secrecy surrounding these gambling rooms made it necessary to launch an undercover investigation, which ultimately led to the raid. Pulaski Sheriff's Department says several of businesses were given warnings ahead of time, while some chose to take out these gaming machines, others did not.

The investigation still continues as other businesses in the area may also have gambling machines.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: carlos arroyo Location: houston on Sep 4, 2008 at 03:55 PM
WE NEED TO GET RID OF ALL THESE MACHINES,THEY ARE BAD FOR OUR COMMUNITY,THEY PAY OUT ABOUT 30% AND ARE VERY ADDICTIVE

Posted by: Unknown Location: Burnside on Aug 24, 2008 at 08:34 PM
The problem that I see is... We teach our children to gamble at a young age in places such as Mr. Gatti's/ GattiLand or even Finley's Fun Center. Children put their money in machines, get their tickets and then trade them in for goods. Can all parents afford to do this? No! In school teachers give tickets and fake money to children as rewards in order for them to get themselves out of trouble. Does this help them out by saving for bail money in the future? Our society has taught us to gamble in one way or another and who's fault is this...Our OWN. I have played the machines before and I did not hear ANY complaints from local citizens or their families, as the news quoted. If the local officials/police would put the effort they put into busting these gambling room into busting METH LABS it would actually make a difference in EVERYONE's community. Why don't they focus their energy into something that will REALLY make a difference.

Posted by: WHAT Location: IRVINE on Aug 24, 2008 at 11:10 AM
THEY KNOW WERE THESE MACHINES ARE @ LOTS OF THEM ON HWY. 52 OR IRVINE ROAD,WE MAKE GOOD MONEY WITH THEM TOO,KEEP ON FEEDING THE MONKEY!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Randy S. Location: Phelps on Aug 24, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Why do we have to suffer from over zealous cops arresting everyone in sight for nothing.Ky is becomming one big prison camp.

Posted by: Dave Location: Garden Springs on Aug 24, 2008 at 05:11 AM
Where in Gardenside?

Posted by: John McClane Location: Nakotomi Plaza on Aug 23, 2008 at 11:22 PM
These machines are all over the place. I played in London recently just to see if they were paying out and what do you know - real money. I think its comical.

Posted by: mc Location: ky on Aug 21, 2008 at 06:00 PM
whats the diffrence.we have lottery bingo horse raceing so we do have gambleing in the state fair for one should be fair for all

Posted by: DW Location: KY on Aug 21, 2008 at 02:26 PM
I do not know of a truck stop in I75 without these machines. There are more convenience stores in KY with the machines than without. The state could erase the budget deficit just from the fines levied on the store owners.

Posted by: Early Cuyler Location: Squidville on Aug 21, 2008 at 02:06 PM
I knew old Stevie would get the Casino thing going! Woo-Hoo! Thank you up above for saving our State in these times of need.

Posted by: jason Location: perry on Aug 21, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Perry County is littered with them and Law enforcement is doing what?????????????

Posted by: T Location: Kentucky on Aug 21, 2008 at 10:59 AM
A machine of this type is destroying my life. My husband is addicted to it and spends every dime we have on it. I have tried contacting several agencies to get this store in Letcher County busted, but to no avail. I can only hope enough complaints about the one at Deane come in to get it removed. As for playing with one dollar bills..these machines can rob you of hundreds in no time at all.

Posted by: DC Location: Hazard on Aug 21, 2008 at 10:19 AM
You can not legislate morality. Get the police doing something worthwhile. This is trivial law enforcement. Go catch some real crooks.

Posted by: deb Location: ky on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Why is it A fellony to gamble with machines, but it isnt illegal to play live poker games? Is it because the POOR Feller can only afford to play with one dollar bills, while private poker games are held for the rich, and the polititions and they play with one hundred dollar bills, and thats legal? Something is wrong here!

Posted by: Ljj Location: Lexington on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Has anyone checked out Gardenside? We have afew here in Lexington and the police know about it!

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