Deputies destroy video machines seized as illegal gambling

Thursday, July 20, 2000 | 10:16 a.m.

Eleven machines hauled from the house onto the front lawn and smashed Wednesday had been programmed to pay out 50 credits to winners, more than North Carolina's eight-credit limit, authorities said.

The blue-and-white-trimmed home and the State Line Quick Stop store are less than a mile from South Carolina, where video gambling was banned beginning July 1. Sheriff Frank McGuirt said he believes the machines were brought into Union County after the South Carolina ban took effect.

North Carolina permits money-operated game machines as long as they don't award cash or merchandise valued at more than $10.

A law approved by the Legislature earlier this month prohibits new video gambling machines in the state and places a three-machine limit on businesses effective Oct. 1.

"We'll have mom-and-pop casinos popping up in Union County if we don't send a message," said McGuirt, who grabbed a sledgehammer and took the first swing. State law allows officers to destroy illegal gambling equipment.

Deputies cited one man for operating an illegal gambling establishment. Authorities found 43 machines at the house and a nearby shed and six at the store.

Cleveland County law enforcement agencies on July 7 raided 13 Kings Mountain businesses, seizing about 100 video-gambling machines and arresting 12.