喬治亞州加油站因運行非法賭博機而被捕

3 月 5 日，喬治亞州九家加油站因涉嫌違反賭博法而被執行搜索令。喬治亞州調查局(GBI) 和馬斯科吉縣治安官辦公室針對哥倫布市的“Hop In”和“Lotto Mart”地點以及卡陶拉的“Hop In”地點，據報道，這些地方的投幣式遊藝機(COAMS) 被用於非法現金交易支出。 GBI 強調，COAMS 必須獲得許可，並且獎金必須兌換為非現金獎勵。預計會有多人被捕。

Georgia Gas Stations Raided for Operating Illegal Gambling Machines

喬治亞州加油站因經營非法賭博機而遭到突襲搜查

In a major crackdown on illegal gambling, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agents and Muscogee County Sheriff's Office personnel executed search warrants on March 5 at nine gas stations across the county. The targeted businesses were identified as:

3 月 5 日，喬治亞州調查局 (GBI) 特工和馬斯科吉縣治安官辦公室人員在全縣 9 個加油站執行了搜查令，對非法賭博進行了大規模打擊。目標企業被認定為：

• Hop In, 7890 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
• Hop In, 4499 Warm Springs Road, Columbus
• Hop In, 1400 Double Churches Road, Columbus
• Lotto Mart, 400 3rd Ave., Columbus
• Citgo Quik Mart, 314 5th St., Columbus
• Hop In, 3875 St. Mary's Road, Columbus
• Hop In, 5757 Buena Vista Road, Columbus
• Hop In, 3021 Macon Road, Columbus
• Hop In, 871 U.S. Hwy 27, Cataula

According to the GBI, the investigation revealed that these businesses were illegally operating Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAMS) that offered cash payouts to customers for winning credits. However, such machines must be licensed by the Georgia Lottery and are only permitted to dispense non-cash prizes.

Hop In, 7890 Veterans Parkway, ColumbusHop In, 4499 Warm Springs Road, ColumbusHop In, 1400 Double Churches Road, ColumbusLotto Mart, 400 3rd Ave., ColumbusCitgo Quik Mart, 314 5thr., Columbus, Columbus, ColumbusHm. In, 5757 Buena Vista Road, ColumbusHop In, 3021 Macon Road, ColumbusHop In, 871 U.S. Hwy 27, Cataula 根據GBI 的調查顯示，這些企業非法經營投幣式遊藝機(COAMS)，向顧客提供現金支付贏得學分。然而，此類機器必須獲得喬治亞州彩票局的許可，並且只允許發放非現金獎品。

This blatant violation of Georgia's gambling laws prompted the authorities to launch swift action, resulting in the seizure of the illegal machines and pending arrests.

這種公然違反格魯吉亞賭博法的行為促使當局迅速採取行動，查獲了非法機器並逮捕了一些人。

"Gambling laws are in place to ensure fairness and protect citizens from exploitation," said GBI Director Vic Reynolds. "We will continue to crack down on businesses that undermine the integrity of our gambling laws and engage in illegal activities that harm our communities."

GBI 主任 Vic Reynolds 表示：“賭博法的製定是為了確保公平並保護公民免受剝削。” “我們將繼續打擊破壞我們賭博法完整性和從事損害我們社區的非法活動的企業。”

The Muscogee County Sheriff's Office echoed the GBI's stance, emphasizing the importance of upholding the law. Sheriff Greg Countryman stated, "We are committed to ensuring that businesses in our county operate within the confines of the law. Those who choose to ignore our laws will face the consequences."

馬斯科吉縣治安官辦公室贊同 GBI 的立場，強調維護法律的重要性。警長格雷格·康特里曼表示：“我們致力於確保我們縣的企業在法律範圍內運營。那些選擇無視我們法律的人將面臨後果。”

The GBI urged residents to report any suspected illegal gambling activities to local law enforcement or the GBI's Commercial Gambling Unit. The ongoing investigation is expected to result in further arrests and charges in the near future.

GBI 敦促居民向當地執法部門或 GBI 商業賭博部門舉報任何可疑的非法賭博活動。正在進行的調查預計將在不久的將來導致進一步的逮捕和指控。