Illegal gambling machines, cash seized in 3 Washington cities
Feb 7, 2025, 10:25 AM | Updated: 10:26 am
Illegal gambling machines, along with cash, were seized at businesses in Seattle, Tacoma, and Lakewood, according to the Washington State Gambling Commission, as reported in The Tacoma News Tribune (TNT).
Seven machines and over $2,000 were taken by law enforcement officials Tuesday.
Illegal gambling investigation continues
No arrests were made accompanying the seizure and the investigation is ongoing.
Gambling Commission spokesperson Troy Kirby told TNT the gambling machines were all the same type. The machines used cards that could be loaded with money. The user could then play the illegal games.
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Online gambling is illegal in Washington state and is considered a felony. The commission did not report the names of the five businesses involved but said the warrants were used at smoke shops and gas stations.
Gambling Commission going after owners
“We are not there to kick in doors,” Kirby told TNT. “We’re not there to really go after the poorest of the poor,” Kirby said. “But if somebody’s actively doing this ownership-wise we’ll go after them. Because they’re preying on people.”
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According to its website, the commission:
…is an accredited, limited-jurisdiction law enforcement agency and the only statewide agency devoted to gambling licensing, regulation, and enforcement.
Through collaboration with local, state, federal, tribal, and international law enforcement agencies, we work to fulfill our legislative declaration of keeping the criminal element out of gambling and promoting social welfare through strict regulation and control.
Our special agents are commissioned law enforcement officers who attend the Basic Law Enforcement Academy and receive the same training as other police officers. Many agents are certified fraud examiners and some are certified public accountants.
Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email him here.
