Commercial Gambling Search Warrants across Georgia

Commercial Gambling Search Warrants across Georgia

Macon, GA. – On Wednesday, October 28, 2015, the GBI’s Commercial Gambling Unit, along with local law enforcement agencies across the State, and in cooperation with the Georgia Lottery Corporation and the Georgia Department of Revenue executed sixteen (16) search warrants in Troup, Houston, Bibb, Chatham, Terrell, and Henry Counties for violations of Georgia’s commercial gambling laws.

Search warrants were served at fifteen (15) convenience stores and one (1) residence.  While searching the locations, agents collected evidence related to crimes of commercial gambling and seized monetary assets gained from the illegal use of gaming machines.

All of the locations are currently licensed to operate Coin Operated Amusement Machines under the master license of Sudama Resorts, Inc.  However, during the course of the investigation, agents discovered customers were receiving cash payouts for winning credits.  In Georgia, credits may only be redeemed for lottery tickets and/or store merchandise.

Search warrants were executed at the following business locations:

• 6230 Zebulon Road, Macon
• 1477 Pio Nono Road, Macon
• 2017 Millerfield Road, Macon
• 2545 New Clinton Road, Macon
• 415 S. Greenwood Street, LaGrange
• 426 S. Greenwood Street, LaGrange
• 1312 Hamilton Road, LaGrange
• 801 D Whiteville Street, LaGrange
• 1602 W. Bay Street, Savannah
• 2203 Skidaway Road, Savannah
• 9137 Whitebluff Road, Savannah
• 1210 E. Derenne Ave., Savannah
• 508 Watson Blvd., Warner Robins
• 516 Feagin Mill Road, Warner Robins
• 8125 Albany Highway, Sasser

Sudama Resorts, Inc. is the master license holder for all of the stores where illegal cash payouts were received and search warrants were executed.  Undercover operations revealed cash payouts were taking place at over 25% of locations statewide where Sudama Resorts, Inc. is contracted to place COAM machines.

Multiple arrests are pending.

In total, more than 75 Agents, Investigators and Police Officers launched the raids in a simultaneous and coordinated fashion.

Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney David Cooke is coordinating a press conference planned for later today.  Please contact the Office of the District Attorney at 478-746-9441 for additional information.