Contributed photo
                                ALE vehicles parked outside The Country Store as part of a raid on illegal gambling machines Thursday.

Contributed photo

ALE vehicles parked outside The Country Store as part of a raid on illegal gambling machines Thursday.

This story was updated on July 31, 2020.

ROCKINGHAM — In a series of raids Thursday, special agents from the NC Alcohol Law Enforcement division and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office seized 14 illegal gaming machines, various documents and cash from five illegal casinos.

The businesses raided were Ninas Mart in East Rockingham, Duncan’s Food Store in Cordova, The County Store in East Rockingham, Glenn’s Bait & Tackle in Rockingham, and Carroll’s Pantry in Ellerbe.

ALE’s Gaming Section and the Sheriff’s Office started a joint investigation after receiving complaints from community members about illegal gambling. Undercover ALE special agents confirmed winners were given cash payouts, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, a violation of North Carolina gambling and gaming laws.

North Carolina State law prohibits players from being awarded cash or credits for merchandise valued at more than $10 from a video gaming machine, whether it is a game of chance or skill. Cash payouts for arcade-style games, such as pinball, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong or Frogger are also illegal. The games played on these illegal machines, such as video slot games, video poker games and video keno games are also the most common throughout the state.

“North Carolina has gambling laws in place to protect the public,” said Special Agent in Charge Chris Poole, head of ALE’s Gaming Section. “The business model for these illegal locations is based upon players losing more money than they will ever win. The machines are pre-set to ensure they are only profitable for the operators. These illegal gaming machines have been widely described as the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling, because of the detrimental financial and emotional effects toll they have had on so many families.”

“We have been following the court proceedings related to the gaming industry very closely and the gaming machines related to these search warrants are clearly a violation of the law,” said Sheriff James Clemmons. “We will continue to investigate these type crimes, we have given written notice in the past stating that these gaming systems are illegal and that has not changed, the majority of these locations shut down willingly. Thank you to the ALE gaming section for their efforts in these investigations and their on-going efforts.”

Violation reports will be submitted to both the North Carolina ABC and Education Lottery Commissions, which could result in fines, suspension or revocation of their permits. The investigation is ongoing and criminal charges are expected in the future.

A Duncan’s Food Store employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said they would be officially notified in a letter about next steps and any charges, fines or penalties from ALE in about one to two weeks.

The employee said ownership of the store had changed at the beginning of the month. He also said he knew the machines were illegal and was in the process of trying to get rid of them shortly before the raid took place, but they hadn’t been picked up yet.

An employee of Ninas Mart said Thursday that they didn’t know the machines were illegal. No one affiliated with the other stores were willing to comment on the record to the Daily Journal.