Gambling news from http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/
ROCK HILL, S.C. - In the past seven months, officials have seized 595 video gaming machines and almost $50,000 from 61 York County locations.
And, they also have arrested clerks and business owners who owned the machines that were outlawed in 2000.
The seized machines include 100 GT SLINGOs, a gambling device that takes coins or dollars and gives the player credits for winnings. The player can turn the credits into cash at the store.
Previously, the games were seized and clerks were ticketed and went to court to pay fines.
"Seizing the machines and going through civil hearings wasn't making a difference," said Lt. Jason Dalton of the Rock Hill Police Department and York County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit. "The more machines we took out, the more game machine and store owners put back.
"It was a never-ending cycle. We felt the need to start going forward with criminal charges with hopes that they would see this is a serious matter."
Store and game owners and clerks who distribute payoffs could be fined up to $5,000 and court costs.
The state Revenue Department also may suspend an alcohol license for the first offense. Stores can be shut down.
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