Five individuals who worked at Hot Spot Skill Arcade in Flint, Michigan, have entered guilty pleas in connection with an illegal gambling operation, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).
A joint investigation by the MGCB and the Michigan Department of Attorney General found that the venue operated slot-style gambling without a gaming license, which is a 10-year felony. They discovered 41 gaming stations using TS Trading Systems’ software. Maintaining a gambling house for gain is a two-year offense.
The defendants, namely Victoria Adams, Michelle Teall, Courtney Thompson, Jeffrey Ladd, and Michael Bixby, are due back in the 7th Judicial Circuit Court for sentencing on Dec. 2. Ladd and Bixby pled guilty to one count of operating a gambling operation without a license, while Adams, Teall, and Thompson pled guilty to one high court misdemeanor of maintaining a gambling house for gain.
“The upcoming sentencing of the defendants on Dec. 2 will mark yet another significant and successful outcome resulting in accountability and enforcement of gaming regulations to protect the integrity of gaming in Michigan,” said Henry Williams, executive director of the MGCB.
MGCB has been busy
The MGCB said the investigation into the "unauthorized and unlicensed" Hot Spot storefront casino underscores its commitment to ensuring fair play in the state.
The MGCB continues to crack down on illegal gambling operations across the state after announcing in the summer that it will not back down any time soon.
“As the regulatory authority overseeing the three Detroit commercial casinos and online gaming in Michigan, the MGCB is committed to upholding the integrity of the state’s gambling regulations and ensuring a fair and responsible gaming environment for all citizens,” Williams said.
This announcement followed an investigation in Flint, which resulted in a $3,500 fine, and a raid in Saginaw, leading to the confiscation of six slot machines and $2,820 in gift cards. The MGCB also recently sent a cease-and-desist order to the country-themed sweepstakes lottery One Country and Israel-based Papaya Gaming for not holding a valid gambling license.
Michigan legal gambling options
The MGCB regulates commercial casinos and online gaming in Michigan, including casino gambling and sports betting. The state licenses and regulates Michigan sports betting at more than 20 retail locations and 11 mobile sportsbooks. Meanwhile, players have the choice of 15 Michigan online casinos, which operate in partnership with the state’s commercial and tribal casinos. Michigan is one of seven states with legal real money online casinos.
Three commercial casinos operate in Detroit, including MGM, MotorCity, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. A recent MGCB report revealed that the three casinos collected $102.9 million in revenue in October, with slot and table game revenue up 26.9% year-on-year.
