Illegal gambling machines lead 3 retailers to lose lottery ticket licenses

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 — In September, staff from the Casey County Sheriff’s Office executed a series of search warrants that led to the seizure of 22 illegal gambling machines there. The machines were described as “video poker and other electronic gambling devices”.

Subsequently, licensees affiliated with six Kentucky Lottery outlets have pled guilty to a Class A misdemeanor of possession of a gambling device

State law (KRS 154A.400(1)(b)(3)(b)) is clear that “no person shall be a Kentucky Lottery retailer who has been convicted of any illegal gambling activity in this or any other jurisdiction, unless at least 10 years have passed since satisfactory completion of the sentence or probation imposed by the court for each conviction.”

As a result, the following retailers have had their licenses terminated and will no longer sell Kentucky Lottery products:

• Mukeshabai Patel and Rameshkumar Patel, B&W Grocery, 7285 East Highway 70, Yosemite.

• Jitendrakumar Patel, Crockett Trail General Store at 7625 West KY 70 in Liberty, Sallies Food Mart 2 at 6554 W Ky 70 in Liberty, OM Food Mart at 116 Bradsfordville Road in Mannsville, and Gia’s Supermarket at 163 Hustonville St. in Liberty.

• Mamta Patel, S&T Market, 5838 Hwy 49 in Liberty.

According to Tom Delacenserie, the president and CEO of the Kentucky Lottery, state law directs what actions must be taken when a lottery retailer is convicted of illegal gambling activity.

“We appreciate the efforts of the Casey County Sherriff’s Office, and will continue to remain vigilant to watch for any other outcomes such as these. Maintaining the integrity of our legal games is paramount to our mission, and anything which violates this statute will be met with the same outcome,” Delacenserie said through a Kentucky Lottery press release.

-30-