The Michigan Gaming Control Board aided state investigators in the crackdown of another alleged illegal gambling operation in Flint.
Wednesday night, a search warrant was executed by multiple state officials at The Flint Arcade, resulting in the seizure of dozens of unregulated gaming machines.
This seizure comes almost exactly one year after two Flint storefront casinos were raided, one of which was at the same location of The Flint Arcade.
More than $13,000 confiscated from The Flint Arcade
Wednesday evening, the Michigan State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and the Flint Police Department carried out the raid of The Flint Arcade, located at 3301 Corunna Road in Flint.
This came following a joint investigation by the MGCB and the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
Authorities confiscated 48 computers that were used to play slot-style games, along with two gaming machines allegedly used for illegal gambling. A total of $13,260 in suspected gambling proceeds were also seized.
The same location was previously served with a search warrant on Aug. 18 of 2022 when the MGCB suspected illegal gaming at The Cellular Vault, the business that was there at that time.
That raid led to 43 computers being taken, along with $2,572.48 in gambling proceeds.
Following the closure of The Cellular Vault, the MGCB began receiving anonymous tips that a new storefront casino opened in the same location. That new business was The Flint Arcade.
The Michigan Penal Code broadly prohibits any kind of gambling except for what is authorized by law, with potential consequences for Michigan businesses operating illegal gaming machines including criminal charges and/or monetary fines.
“Storefront casinos and illegal gambling pose significant risks to communities, both socially and economically,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said in a press release. “Since they can often attract criminal activity and draw customers away from legitimate businesses that positively contribute to the local economy, it is essential that these types of operations get shut down to prevent customers from falling prey to fraudulent schemes and protect them from potential harm.”
Flint area has been a regular location for illegal gambling raids
Flint has been a popular target for the MGCB, as this marks the third raid since April of 2022.
This location has now been hit twice in nearly a year.
Back on April 27, 2022, a pair of raids led to nearly $30,000 and 100 gambling devices being taken in the Flint area.
Those occurred at The State Road Spot and The Bristol Spot.
Last February, former Flint police chief William Bradford Barksdale pleaded no contest to charges related to illegal gambling.
Those charges were related to alleged gambling activities at West Point Arcade in 2017. During that raid, investigators found more than 80 firearms at the location.
MGCB continues commitment to stop illegal gambling
In 2022, the MGCB aided in the confiscation of 373 illegal gaming machines, while a total of 17 individuals received criminal convictions through the MGCB investigations.
That continues in 2023, as the MGCB has recorded numerous raids, including in Belleville and Delta Township.
These seizures have been aided by tips from anonymous Michigan residents.
Residents in the state are encouraged to report illegal or suspicious gambling activity in their area. They can do so anonymously by calling the 24-hour tipline at 1-888-314-2682.
Written tips can be done anonymously on the MGCB website through an online form located under the “Report Illegal or Suspicious Gambling Activity” link of the Resources section on the homepage.
You can also send an email to [email protected], but that will not be an anonymous approach due to using a registered email address.
