Video gambling devices, cash reportedly seized in 4-county probe
Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com By Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com
on June 15, 2016 at 7:31 PM, updated June 16, 2016 at 1:18 AM
Pennsylvania State Police reported seizing illegal video gambling devices and cash while serving 50 warrants Wednesday afternoon in and around the Lehigh Valley as part of a yearlong probe.
Eric Frein Manhunt Day 28
Pennsylvania State Police reported serving 50 warrants Wednesday, June 15, 2016, in and around the Lehigh Valley as part of a yearlong investigation into illegal video gambling. (Lehighvalleylive.com file photo)
Officers from the agency’s Bureau of Liquor Enforcement and Bureau of Criminal Investigations served the warrants simultaneously about 4 p.m. at 40 liquor-licensed establishments, three non-licensed establishments, two homes, two warehouses and three vehicles across Berks, Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties, according to a news release.
The searches and inspections were the result of the intensive investigation begun a year ago into illegal video gambling in these counties, police said.
Investigators focused the probe on the operations of Maxx Amusements in Whitehall Township and Gus Kohas Amusement Vending Co. in Allentown, the release states.
Neither business could be reached for comment early Wednesday evening. A number for Maxx Amusements was out of service, and a message left at Gus Kohas Amusement Vending was not immediately returned.
Police made no arrests but said the investigation is continuing and may result in arrest warrants related to illegal gambling. Liquor-law violations are also anticipated at the licensed establishments, police said.
Police did not immediately release the number of machines or how much cash seized.
“The machines seized were determined to be illegal video gambling devices through this investigation merely by their unique design characteristics or by the specific unlawful use of the video device inside a licensed or non-licensed liquor establishment,” the release states.
Investigators reported receiving numerous complaints from residents and law enforcement with regard to illegal video gambling prior to and throughout the investigation.
“Those complaints and concerns helped lead to today’s operation, and the bureau credits those citizens with providing the information and assistance required to initiate and further the investigation,” Wednesday’s release from the state police Bureau of Liquor Enforcement states.
Police invite anyone with information on suspected illegal gambling involving liquor-licensed establishments in the Lehigh Valley region to call the bureau’s Allentown District Office at 610-758-7500.
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.