The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has cited many businesses in Rome and Floyd County for illegal cash payouts from gaming machines. This comes after a 10-month undercover investigation with the Rome Police Department into violations of state gambling regulations. The gaming machines, found in local convenience stores, were improperly giving out cash instead of in-kind prizes or gift cards, which is against the law. The Rome Police started the investigation after receiving complaints about the machines.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Rome Police Major Mark Tison stated, "The GBI used all the undercover agents to go in and play the machines." The investigation revealed that cash payouts were being given, which is a violation of the regulations.
As a result, 26 businesses in Rome, about a third of the local businesses with such machines, and seven in Floyd County were cited. These businesses had their machines disabled, according to WSB-TV.
"This is the largest one-time operation within the state," Major Tison told FOX 5 Atlanta. Some businesses have appealed the citations, and their machines were reactivated until their court dates.
