HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Commercial Gambling Unit served 16 search warrants in multiple counties on buildings conducting illegal gambling on Wednesday.
Law enforcement hit 15 convenience stores and one residence while searching for illegal gambling machines. GBI agents seized money gained from the illegal use of gambling machines.
All locations to which GBI agents responded are licensed to operate coin-operated amusement machines under the master license of Sudama Resorts Inc.
The GBI Commercial Gambling Unit Head Cindy Ledford says Sandip Patel, who was arrested at his Eagle’s Landing home, put hundreds of video gaming machines in stores.
During the course of their investigation, GBI agents discovered that customers were getting payouts for winning credits. In Georgia, credits may be redeemed only for lottery tickets or store merchandise.
The Bibb County District Attorney says he will go after Patel and many others in a civil racketeering lawsuit.
“It is my understanding that this is the largest civil Rico lawsuit in Georgia history,” Cooke said.
Search warrants were served in Troup, Houston, Bibb, Chatham, Terrell, and Henry counties.