Police in Ohio cracks down on illegal gambling, raids two venues

More than two dozen illegal gambling machines were shut down following a police operation at two illegal gaming establishments in Ohio. The operation was conducted by the Akron Police Department (APD) in collaboration with the state's gambling regulator, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC).

Earlier this week, the APD confirmed that two raids at suspected illegal gambling businesses in Akron had taken place. Law enforcement agents, joined by the OCCC, executed search warrants at 1283 E. Tallmadge Ave and 141 E. York St in Akron. The search warrants follow complaints filed with police, claiming that two venues offered gambling activities without the required license. Those complaints triggered an investigation that led to the raids. At the two locations, law enforcement and OCCC agents disabled or seized 27 illegal slot machines. What's more, law enforcement seized an undisclosed amount of US currency. While the investigation into the illegal gambling establishments is ongoing, APD did confirm whether or not suspects have been arrested. The latest operation against illegal gambling has increased the number of illegal gambling devices that were disabled or seized. To date, law enforcement and the OCCC have successfully executed operations at 181 locations across Ohio, resulting in the disabling or seizure of nearly 8,000 illegal slot machines. The aforementioned number is more than all of the slot machines available at licensed casinos across Ohio. Matthew Schuler, the OCCC's Executive Director, spoke about the latest raids against illegal gambling venues in Akron. Illegal casinos harm communities and Ohioans that live in and contribute to those communities, he said. Moreover, Schuler pointed out: Partnering with local law enforcement to uphold Ohio's gaming laws is the most efficient way to root out illegal gaming in the state.