Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is not playing games when it comes to unregulated video lottery machines. She filed criminal charges and a lawsuit today against Briarwood One Stop in Brookline and its managing officer, accusing them of having 12 of the slot machines.
In a news release, Hanaway said she has filed two felony counts of first-degree promoting gambling as well as a civil lawsuit against the Greene County convenience store. They are accused of providing public access to unlicensed and unregulated games in violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.
Hanaway, a Republican, said she is seeking a permanent court order to stop the southwest Missouri business from offering any gambling services.
The case follows an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control and the Attorney General’s Office, in collaboration with the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Thousands of these slot machines can be found around Missouri, often in bars, restaurants, gas stations, and private clubs.
“Businesses that allow illegal gambling to operate under their roofs are making a deliberate choice to put profit over public safety,” Hanaway said.
Shutting down these machines is one of the attorney general’s top priorities. Hanaway has warned Missouri businesses that she’s going to put a stop to these gaming machines. Her office said it is prepared to go to all corners of Missouri to wipe out these gaming operations.
“To anyone housing or operating these illegal devices, General Hanaway demands that you unplug, shut down, and remove the devices immediately,” her news release said.
The court documents in the case can be found here.
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