Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

Warner Robins Police raided three businesses Friday in a crackdown on video poker machines. "We have a history of problems with them," said, Lt. Lance Watson of the Warner Robins Police Department Narcotics Intelligence Unit. Watson said he was working with the District Attorney's Office on the crackdown on video gambling. "We gave them a warning. Kelly (Burke, DA) gave a seminar," to local business owners. The investigation revealed that several businesses were paying cash for winning tickets from gambling devices, while they are only allowed to issue vouchers for in-store merchandise. "This is what happens," Watson said. "Maybe this will serve notice." "We'll probably go try another in a few weeks, he added." On Friday, the Warner Robins Police Department Narcotics Intelligence Unit executed three search warrants at the following locations in reference to commercial gambling: Andy's Food Mart, 1101 North Houston Road; All-In-One Gifts, 748 C North Houston Road: and Quick Stop Food Mart, 935 Coder Road. As a result of the search warrants, approximately $8,000 in cash and 24 gambling devices were seized and the following persons were arrested on charges of commercial gambling, keeping a gambling place, and possession of gambling device or equipment: At Andy's Food Mart, Anilaben Patel, 44, and Jitendra Patel, 48, both of 107 Montview Way, Centerville; At Quick Stop Food Mart, Ambitbhai Patel, 61, and Shakuntalaben Patel, 57, both of 102 Plaza Drive, Perry; At All-In-One Gifts, Teresita Woods, 63, of 822 Pine St., Warner Robins. The commercial gambling charge is a felony, while the other two charges - keeping a gambling place, and possession of gambling device or equipment are misdemeanors. The felony charge has a $1,100 bond, while the misdemeanors are $600 each. All five have been released from jail, each paying $1,700 to bond out. Watson said the city is looking at an ordinance on the gaming machines like neighboring municipalities have. Perry has such an ordinance. "The biggest problem is controlling it," Watson said. "If we could get a handle on them. If there were five and we knew where they were, it would be easier. Right now we have so many locations in the city."