Charity Slot Machines Seized

The Department of Justice Division of Gambling Control announced yesterday that they had served search warrants on 4S Casino Party Suppliers for operating illegal slot machines. The company is located at 1449 Bayport Avenue, as well as two other San Mateo County locations.

San Carlos police Sgt. Greg Miller said that the warrant was in regards to an investigation that has been ongoing since 1999. He said that no one was injured or arrested, but that more than 60 slot machines were seized from the three locations.

As this was not the first time the agents had raided the company, they knew what to take this time. Last time they took 10 slot machines from the business, but then were unable to prove that those particular slot machines were used for gambling purposes. This time, the agents seized everything except the table gaming equipment that they also rent out.

The company rents slot machines and table game equipment for charities, and says that they operate legally under the terms of the law. The law states that you can rent or sell slot machines that are antiques, meaning that they are older than 25 years. The machines that the company uses are more than 25 years old.

However, agents say that the law states that you cannot use them for gambling purposes, even if you are a charity. Stephen Squires, the owner of the business, says that he is being targeted because the state is trying to protect the rights of the tribes in the state, and said that one of the agents even told him that they had to. If convicted, Squires is facing possible jail time and fines.

Back to August 2007 Archive.