Illegal Video Poker Gambling Operation Busted in Pennsylvania

Although paying out video poker machines is illegal in most states, bars and other establishments continue to engage in this criminal activity,

On Thursday, a variety store located in Bella Vista, Pennsylvania became the latest establishment to be raided by the police.

A Citizen complaint is what started the investigation into the store. The claim was that the store was paying out players who won money playing their video poker machines.

An undercover cop was sent into the store, which is located near the Italian Market in Bella Vista. The cop played one of four Dodge City poker machines and was paid out by the store attendant when a certain amount of credits were reached.

The store owner was not arrested, but the store was shut down after the bust. Letteria Lamacchia, who was the store clerk that paid the winning ticket, was arrested.

The FBI has been called in by local police to investigate whether organized crime was involved in the running of the illegal operation.

December 2, 2007
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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