District Attorney Potter issues gambling warning
District Attorney General Dale Potter has issued one final warning to local businesses to get all forms of illegal gambling out of their stores – or face the consequences.
“We prefer everyone cooperates and understands the law and removes all forms of gambling devices from their businesses,” Potter said in announcing the crackdown. “If these items are not voluntarily removed, the items can be seized and the person in possession of them can be cited with a misdemeanor or even a felony offense.”
The warning comes on the heels of an agreement last week where a local couple entered a pre-trial diversion on aggravated gambling promotion charges. Potter said the case will mark the last time an alternative punishment is offered in reference to gambling promotion here.
“It’s not just here,” Potter said. “The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is cracking down and there’s districts all over the state which are taking this seriously.”
A recent court ruling found the mere possession of a poker machine is illegal, even if payoffs to players is not proven. Potter said similar machines such as raker machines are also illegal and are subject to seizure.
Along with machines, Potter said he wants merchants to be aware that items such as punchboards are also considered gambling devices as are phone cards which offer chances to win money by purchasing them.
“All these phone cards that offer a chance on a prize are simply a masked lottery,” Potter said. “And, the chances of winning are outrageous. Most people who purchase them don’t understand what the odds are.”
Potter said some businesses have already been contacted about the phone cards and punchboards; however, Potter said he wants merchants to be clear on the illegality of such games.
“It’s the law in Tennessee and we’re going to enforce it,” Potter said. “It’s impractical to try to stop poker games at someone’s house or some side bets on ball games, but we can enforce things which are being done publicly.
“There’s a lot of money being made on these games of chance and not a penny going toward taxes. It’s just not a legitimate way for a business to earn money.”
Potter said lawmen plan to enforce the law evenly, targeting all gambling promotion.
“It’s not right for us to prosecute one person for running machines and let the next guy go ahead with it,” Potter said. “It’s also not right to prosecute folks who have poker machines and not get people with punchboards and phone cards which sell chances.”
Any person who has a question on the legality of a product or game they have at their place of business as it pertains to the gambling law may contact Potter at 473-9572.