Office of Charitable Gaming finds ‘illegal gambling devices’ during inspection

Contact: Nikki Ploskonka 502-564-5525

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 31, 2006) – The Kentucky Office of Charitable Gaming (OCG) seized six slot machines from the McDowell-Minnie-Drift Community Club in Minnie, Ky., on Aug. 24, 2006.

The machines, which cannot legally be used in Kentucky, were found in the office of the organization during a routine compliance check, which is part of the application process for a charitable gaming license.  The case is to be heard in Floyd County District Court on Sept. 6, 2006.

Jimmy Hall, chief executive officer of the club, was charged with possession of an “illegal gambling device,” a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and one year in jail.

Under Kentucky law, it is illegal to knowingly manufacture, sell, transport, place or possess a device for use “in the advancement of unlawful gambling activity.”  A slot machine that is set up to make payouts in the usual sense is an illegal gambling device under Kentucky law.

OCG is an agency of the Department of Public Protection in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. It was created to provide a regulatory framework allowing charitable gaming to thrive as a viable fundraising mechanism. The office helps to ensure the productivity of charitable gaming through appropriate regulation, oversight and education.