The owner of a building in Flint that was home to an illegal gambling operation has reached a settlement deal that bans him from “engaging in any other nuisance in any other building or place in Genesee County” and orders him to pay $3,500 for associated costs related to the case.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported today that Linos Antonio Kas-Mikha, owner of L.D. Lam Properties, LLC, reached the settlement on May 7.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Illegal gambling operations anywhere undermine the integrity of our regulated gaming industry everywhere,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said in a press release.
Previously, Kas-Mikha had been facing four felony charges for operating illegal gambling at 3301 Corunna Road in Flint under the names The Cellular Vault, The Vault, and The Flint Arcade.
Specifically, The Cellular Bank had 11 standalone slot machines like the ones available at commercial casinos. And there were 13 computers on which patrons could play slot-style games.
Further, the operation also provided patrons with a PIN card, enabling them to wager online from offsite locations such as their homes.
Flint illegal gambling operation raided repeatedly
Three separate raids, two of which came in August 2022, have been carried out at the illegal gambling facilities over the past two years:
Aug. 18, 2022: 4622 N. Saginaw Street at Cellular Bank – Police confiscate 11 standalone slot machines, 13 computers, and $7,568.52 in winnings and gambling proceeds. Authorities also found a card with a PIN allowing betting online from offsite locations.
Aug. 18, 2022: 3301 Corunna Road at The Cellular Vault – Police confiscate 43 computers used for gambling and $2,572.48 in winnings and gambling proceeds.
Aug. 23, 2023: 3301 Corunna Road at The Flint Arcade – Police confiscate 50 gambling devices and $13,260 in suspected gambling proceeds.
On Aug. 29, 2023, Williams met with Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley and State Rep. Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint) to discuss potential strategies and actions beyond physically smashing illegal machines.
The trio not only wanted to crack down on unlawful operations. It also wanted to figure out the flaws that allowed establishments like The Cellular Vault — which continued to operate under different names — to tarnish the reputations of regulated, legitimate gambling venues.
Flint mayor hopes case sends a strong message
On Tuesday, Neeley said he hopes the case acts as a deterrent.
“I want to thank the Michigan Gaming Control Board and all of our law enforcement partners who helped ensure that this illegal gambling operation will no longer take advantage of vulnerable people in our community,” Neeley said in the press release.
“I hope the forfeiture of the Corunna Road establishment sends a strong message that we will hold bad actors accountable when they profit from illegal activities that threaten public health and safety.”
Williams said he is grateful to Neeley, law enforcement and community members for the assist in shutting down the illegal Flint gambling operation.
“This case settlement is proof that when we work together and partner with other state agencies and local leaders, positive change can happen,” Williams said.
MGCB’s crackdown on illegal gambling continues
On Friday, the MGCB told PlayMichigan it was well within its right to crack down on illegal gambling.
That came after an executive of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association accused the MGCB of sending “threatening” letters to stop illegal gambling.
“The MGCB refutes the recent claims that its efforts to combat illegal gambling are invalid,” MGCB Public Information Officer Lisa Keith told PlayMichigan.
This after the MGCB uncovered illegal gambling at the Red Horse Bar in Saginaw. Authorities charged the owners with four felonies, each.
The state’s gambling regulator sent cease-and-desist letters to 64 businesses last year. That led to the removal of 167 illicit gambling machines.
