佐治亚州加油站因运行非法赌博机而被捕

3 月 5 日，佐治亚州九家加油站因涉嫌违反赌博法而被执行搜查令。佐治亚州调查局 (GBI) 和马斯科吉县治安官办公室针对哥伦布市的“Hop In”和“Lotto Mart”地点以及卡陶拉的“Hop In”地点，据报道，这些地方的投币式游艺机 (COAMS) 被用于非法现金交易支出。 GBI 强调，COAMS 必须获得许可，并且奖金必须兑换为非现金奖励。预计会有多人被捕。

Georgia Gas Stations Raided for Operating Illegal Gambling Machines

佐治亚州加油站因经营非法赌博机而遭到突击搜查

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，佐治亚州调查局 (GBI) 特工和马斯科吉县治安官办公室人员在全县 9 个加油站执行了搜查令，对非法赌博进行了大规模打击。目标企业被确定为：

• 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 5th St., ColumbusHop In, 3875 St. Mary's Road, ColumbusHop In, 5757 Buena Vista Road, ColumbusHop In, 3021 Macon Road, ColumbusHop In, 871 U.S. Hwy 27, Cataula 根据 GBI 的调查显示，这些企业非法经营投币式游艺机 (COAMS)，向顾客提供现金支付赢得学分。然而，此类机器必须获得佐治亚州彩票局的许可，并且只允许发放非现金奖品。

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.

这种公然违反格鲁吉亚赌博法的行为促使当局迅速采取行动，查获了非法机器并逮捕了一些人。

"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 主任维克·雷诺兹 (Vic Reynolds) 表示：“赌博法的制定是为了确保公平并保护公民免受剥削。” “我们将继续打击破坏我们赌博法完整性和从事损害我们社区的非法活动的企业。”

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."

马斯科吉县治安官办公室赞同 GBI 的立场，强调维护法律的重要性。警长格雷格·康特里曼表示：“我们致力于确保我们县的企业在法律范围内运营。那些选择无视我们法律的人将面临后果。”

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 敦促居民向当地执法部门或 GBI 商业赌博部门举报任何可疑的非法赌博活动。正在进行的调查预计将在不久的将来导致进一步的逮捕和指控。