Video Poker 24/7 - Video Poker Raid Ends in Seizure of Machines

Video Poker 247 - Video Poker Raid Ends in Seizure of Machines

Cumberland County has decided that they are going to end illegal video poker games once and for all, and proceeded to seize 64 video poker machines from more than 60 businesses last Thursday. They call it – Operation Empty Pocket.

Cumberland County Sheriff Moose Butler’s deputies went from place to place, seizing all of the video poker machines that they could find, as well as about $8,000 in video poker revenue. However, those accused of having the video poker machines are not taking it lying down. They say that they are interpreting the law incorrectly, and that they should have gotten a warning letter from the county before they came to seize the video poker machines.

The deputies charged 35 people with misdemeanor violations of a video poker ban that started July 1st. Before the law was passed, you could have up to three video poker machines in one location, and cash payouts and prizes could not be more than $10.

However, some of them are saying that not only did they not get warning, but they didn’t even have the illegal video poker machines, but they were taken anyway. One businessman was told by the Sheriff’s office’s lawyer that he should not have received a citation as his video poker machines don’t pay out prizes.

The Sheriff’s Office denies this claim and said that their lawyer has not spoken to any of the people cited regarding the video poker machine raid. They say that the businesses had plenty of time to get rid of the video poker games and that this should send a message to anyone out there who has one or was considering getting one. They said that they will look everywhere for them, as was evident as they even raided private residences to get the video poker machines.

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