Investigators Seize Money and Nearly 50 Gaming Machines from a Storefront Casino in Flint
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Following a joint investigation by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), state investigators were assisted in executing a search warrant at The Flint Arcade, which is located at 3301 Corunna Road in Flint. They were assisted by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, and Flint Police Department. This information comes from the press release by MGCB.
Authorities seized two machines reportedly used for illegal gambling, 48 PCs used to play slot-style games, and $13,260 in suspected gambling winnings from the casino.
Storefront casinos and illicit gambling, according to MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams, pose serious hazards to communities in terms of both social and economic development. It is crucial that these kinds of operations are shut down in order to protect customers from falling for fraudulent schemes and potential harm because they frequently attract criminal activity and divert customers from legal MI casinos and businesses that positively impact the local economy.
On August 18, 2022, the Michigan Attorney General’s office served the location with a search warrant after the MGCB looked into alleged illicit gaming at The Cellular Vault, a company that was operating there at the time. 43 gambling-related computers were seized during the raid, along with $2,572.48 in wins and gambling profits, and The Vault, as it was called locally, was shut down.
The Flint Arcade, a storefront casino that allowed patrons the chance to play on slot-style gambling machines, has returned to the same location, according to anonymous information provided to the MGCB by concerned Michigan residents. The Michigan Penal Code largely forbids all forms of gambling other than those that are permitted by law, and companies using unauthorized gaming equipment may face criminal charges and/or monetary penalties.
