"Slot machine" arrests and video poker
Remember video poker? You know, the little machines that used to be convenience stores and the like. They were one of the industries that former House Speaker Jim Black was known for protecting before he got sent up the river.
Well among the biggest spokesmen for the industry - at least among the folks who I talked to a few times - was Rockingham County's George Trent.
An excerpt:
Instead, legislators should start a system of statewide regulation of the machines, said George Trent, of Reidsville, speaking for the N.C. Amusement Machine Association.Statewide registration would eliminate the confusing county-by-county regulatory system and make it easy for authorities to identify illegal machines, Trent said.
His Trent Brothers Music Co. owns a number of video-poker machines.
The machines are owned mainly by family-run businesses that provide employment for law-abiding residents, Trent said. They are harmless fun when operated according to the law, he said.
"If we can get rid of the illegal machines, the majority of our problems would be gone," Trent said.
Trent's name is among those picked up by the ALE today in an "illegal slot machine" sweep.
New release: here.
Trent was not only a donor to his industry PAC, but gave political donations to Rep. Nelson Cole and Sen. Phil Berger, among others.
Also worth noting: he has been charged with the big-boy crime of operating a "continuing criminal enterprise," which is a class H felony.
And I'm trying to confirm, but I believe video poker machines would now, under the law, fall into the definition of an illegal slot machine "or device where the user may become entitled to receive any money, credit, allowance, or any thing of value..."
Comments (6)
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an illegal slot machine "or device where the user may become entitled to receive any money, credit, allowance, or any thing of value..."* Mark
If that being the case, when can we expect the local Sheriff to raid and lock up every Bingo game players and church officals in the county?
Posted on February 22, 2008 6:38 PM
There is, oddly enough, a bingo exception...i believe its for nonprofit groups and churches.
Posted on February 22, 2008 6:40 PM
I think the police should raid, ACC basket ball , golf courses, office pools, and private poker games we have in our house. Just think of all the folks they could put in jail. That way they can ignore killings , robbers, illegals and all other crimes. What a waste of time, who gives a crap about how one spends their money.
Posted on February 23, 2008 4:13 AM
So Doug:
I guess you can argue whether the state should have a law banning video poker machines or not. But I wonder if you would apply the "Who cares about how one spends their money," argument to other things that are crimes.
Should the grocery store be able to ignore the prohibition on selling alcohol on Sunday mornings? Should police not arrest folks who are engaged in the prostitution trade? If the guy down on the corner is buying and selling weed, should he be left alone?
Posted on February 23, 2008 10:09 AM
Who cares about how one spends their money?
Why is there a prohibition on selling alcohol on Sunday? What good is that law and who does it protect?
Prostitution? Isn't that just a contract between two consenting adults? Who is the victim in the 'crime' of prostitution?
The guy buying and selling weed? Who is he harming? Who is the victim?
I don't need the government to pass laws to protect me from myself. If there is no victim there is no crime.
Eric H. Smith
Candidate for NC House 65
Posted on February 28, 2008 11:38 AM
The reason these machines are illegal is the fact that they PAY-OFF. You buy a phone card with $5.00 and you win $500.00 you get the cash. I know people that will spend there entire paycheck on a phone card and never make the first phone call, only to lose the entire amount paying video slot machines. These machines are illegal when they are paying off. Go ask the clerks at Sumner Curb Market, Randleman Road Business Center, another one behind Mrs. Winners all of these being on Randleman Road in Greensboro. I agree with the sheriff of Rockingham County, they are illegal. Just because they put a banner saying "Sweepstakes" on the front door does not make gambling legal.
Also, the pink, green, yellow and blue ball sheets are illegal and you can be arrested for having these. But J&S Jewelry Store on Randleman Road doesn't think so.
Posted on March 6, 2008 12:44 PM