Illegal Video Poker Machines Increase in South Carolina

The State Law Enforcement Division of South Carolina is dismayed as illegal video poker machines continue to increase in South Carolina.

In their efforts to curb the illegal gambling business, officers of the State Law Enforcement Division launched an intensified raid at a West Columbia house in the last week of January. In the raid, agents said that they seized 14 illegal video poker machines and cash worth $11,000.

Last year, enforcers confiscated 1,733 machines in South Carolina, while 87 video machines for poker games were seized in Richland County alone. Moreover, from the year 2000 to 2005, the agency confiscated 3,400 video poker machines.

Major Stacey Drakeford with SLED added that aside from video poker machines, they seized over 70 different types of machines, including Las Vegas type slot machines. Drakeford added that their intensified campaign is being implemented with routine inspections, as well as tips from local citizens.

If found guilty, illegal operators can be convicted of a misdemeanor for each machine, meaning that they have to pay up to $500 and face a jail term of up to 1 year.

February 19, 2007
Michael Orwell