Miami Police Crackdown On Illegal Gambling Machines
MIAMI (CBS4) – Miami police hit the jackpot Tuesday after they seized nine coin-operated devices which they claim were illegal video gaming machines.
CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald reports police raided three shops as part of an ongoing roundup of illegal gaming devices. Three people were arrested on charges including operating a gambling house.
Police have seized hundreds of the machines since starting their investigation in October 2010. They said the operation is necessary to protect the city's poor and elderly. They said the machines seized are illegal games of chance. Industry insiders, however, said the machines can't be considered gambling devices because there is a pattern to the numbers that pop up.
The machine seizures have strained the relationship between Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Police Chief Miguel Exposito. Exposito claims Regalado tried to stop the October raid. Regalado says the claim is false.
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