On August 18, during searches at two Michigan Flint businesses (The Cellular Vault, 3301 Corunna Road, and Cellular Bank, 4622 N. Saginaw Street) state investigators seized 11 video slot machines as well as 56 laptop computers which were reportedly used for running illegal gambling. $10,141 in suspected gambling winnings and gift cards was also recovered in the raid.
The machines, cash, related equipment, and business records were taken out as part of a joint investigation by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) into the two independent firms.
The MGCB received multiple anonymous tips involving both Flint locations, and we thank the public for their assistance in identifying potential unlawful gaming activity… The consumer protections necessary for authorized, regulated gambling are not available to patrons at purported storefront casinos. Additionally, the operations may encourage other sorts of criminality in the neighborhoods nearby.
– Henry Williams, executive director of the MGCB
There were 39 computers in the Cellular Vault that were used to play slot-style games, and there were 13 computers and 11 standalone slot machines in the Cellular Bank that were used to play slot-style games.
Remote Play: Cellular Bank reportedly gave customers a card with a PIN so they could gamble online.
Related: In April, investigators raided two other purported storefront casinos, The State Road Spot in Davison and The Bristol Spot in Burton, seizing 100 gambling devices and $29,200 in alleged gambling winnings. Investigations are still ongoing at the Davison and Burton locations.
Reporter covering all aspects of legal sportsbetting, poker and casino regulation. David's idea of mecca is Las Vegas - which he visits annually to play in the World Series of Poker.
