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Video gambling machines seized
Wednesday, July 19, 2000 By Judy Laurinatis, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Authorities seized 156 video gambling devices from 37 bars, stores, restaurants and clubs in the New Kensington-Arnold area Monday after investigators said undercover state troopers were illegally paid winnings from the machines.
Pennsylvania State Police, agents from the state Department of Revenue and Westmoreland County detectives moved in yesterday to seize machines Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck said were targets of complaints from residents and officials in both municipalities.
The complaints centered on establishments that "went all night," attracting a drug and prostitution trade, said Peck. While those types of establishments were in "a great minority," he said gambling in the state is illegal and owners of the machines use proceeds from them for money laundering and other illegal purposes.
"It was extremely open," Peck said of payouts from many of the machines.
No one was arrested at any of the sites Monday.
Peck said arrest warrants will be issued.
Proprietors of the targeted establishments will be charged with permitting gambling devices, a first-degree misdemeanor.
If found guilty, those charged could each face five years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
But as far as at least one owner of a restaurant hit yesterday in the raid is concerned, the confiscation of the machines was a costly enough move.
"It's not fair," said Larry, the owner of New Kensington's Subs & More on Fourth Avenue who did not want his last name used. He said he paid the city of New Kensington $300 for each of the three machines that were taken away, part of the annual amusement tax he pays in November for his pinball, poker and jukebox machines.
He denied ever paying off machine winnings in cash and said he's learned a tough lesson in operating a new business.
"I just took over here a year and a half ago," he said.
He wanted to know why, if machines were to be taken away, they weren't taken before he paid the tax.
Arnold business owners, too, pay amusement tax on machines, although the fee isn't as high as it is in New Kensington.
Arnold city clerk Rick Rayberg said city council recently changed the amusement tax to one flat tax, set at $60 annually for each machine, regardless of the type.
Establishments raided included All Seasons Mini Mart, Arnold American Legion, Bailey's Bar, Biff's Brothers Inn, Crow Bar, Funzie's, Grottese, Hard Rockers Pub, Jack's, Joe's Place, Marconi Club, Normandy Lounge, Our Bar and Grill, Peanuts Bar, Reservoir Inn, Spartaco Club, Sportsmans, Summit House, Twins Market, Arnold Corner Cafe, Arnold Fireman's Club, Banfors in Tarentum, Chippy's, Freedom Inn, Guiseppe Pizza Parlor, Gunny's, J.J.'s Country Tavern, Joe's Fireside Inn, Main Street News and Deli, Moose Club, Orpy's Lounge, P&M Pizza, Rainbow Inn, the Slovak Catholic Sokol Club, Subs & More, Westmoreland Senior Citizens Center and Telstar of Lower Burrell.
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