In Dublin, phones began to ring Wednesday afternoon as law enforcement went to several stores in town. The Dublin Police Department made visits to stores that had video poker machines.

These stores were searched by the local Sheriff’s Department narcotics unit as they served their search warrants at five local stores. These businesses were involved with ‘video poker’ which is illegal gambling in Dublin.

Citizens have been complaining for about a year about the machines in Laurens County. Investigators mainly focused on locations that had the most complaints during that year’s time. Investigators gathered enough information to prove in fact, that illegal gambling has been taking place at these businesses. These findings were submitted to the Dublin District Attorney Craig Fraser’s office.

The district attorney’s office found that it is illegal to even have the machines for amusement. This was the court ruling of the investigators research.

These machines cost residents thousands of dollars during that year. One father said his son used credit cards for purchasing gas and found out later he was using the cards on the video poker machines. He is held responsible for paying the debt.

These search warrants were all served at 3:45 p.m. at these five locations. Everyone noticed the yellow crime scene tape that blocked the parking lot off as well as the entrance to the businesses.

More information will be released by Friday about the arrest made during the investigation according to Sheriff Bill.

- 2007-10-26