Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

State reaches settlement with department store

ALBUQUERQUE -- The state Gaming Control Board has reached a settlement with an Albuquerque department store over two slot machines that were seized in October.

The two machines were on display at Foley's Department Store in Coronado Mall. The machines, priced at $500 each, were on display with other gambling-related merchandise including poker chip sets.

The board's enforcement agents took the machines, saying that it was illegal to possess or sell slot machines built after 1970 under the state Gaming Control Act. Only Indian casinos, state-licensed horse tracks and veteran and fraternal clubs may have them.

In the settlement announced Tuesday, the board said Foley's did not admit to violating the law but agreed to forfeit the machines and pay a $25,000 fine.

The state agreed not to pursue any further criminal or legal action against the department store.

The board routinely destroys illegal slot machines that it seizes. Since 1999, more than 2000 illegal gaming machines and components have been destroyed.

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