BENTON, Ark. - On Wednesday, detectives with the Benton Police Department Special Investigative Unit served search warrants at five businesses in regards to illegal gaming activity.
The five businesses involved were:
Lance's Convenience Store - 3821 Edison Ave.
Bullock's Superstop - 15536 I-30
Phillips 66 - 15541 I-30
Jimmy's Superstop - 901 Edison Ave.
Texaco EZ GO - 1921 Hwy 5 North
It was determined during the course of the investigation that the businesses in question were providing items of significant value as 'prizes' to customers. The prizes were awarded from slot style machines and people were given such items as merchandise and gasoline as their prize.
Providing items from gaming machines that are of any significant value is against Arkansas law. The owners of the named businesses were given citations for Keeping a Gaming Device and the machines were confiscated as evidence.
This is an on-going investigation and there is the possibility of additional businesses being cited in the future. Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or 315-TIPS. Individuals also may send an anonymous tip to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com and submit a tip there.
(Source: Benton Police Department)