Crime & Safety
Six Arrested in Georgia Video Poker Raid
The machines were paying out cash, instead of lottery tickets and store vouchers, investigators say.

VILLA RICA, GA — Five people have been charged with felony commercial gambling in a raid of two Georgia convenience stores earlier this week.
They are:
- Alan Walsh, 51 of Villa Rica
- Vikram Manihani, 38 of Dallas
- Christine Alexander, 27 of Villa Rica
- Kathryn Fortney, 42 of Bremen
- Tammie Bell, 57 of Tallapoosa
- Amar "Ricky" Raza, 40 of Villa Rica
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the charges on Friday.
Find out what's happening in Douglasvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On Thursday, two convenience stores in Villa Rica were busted on charges that video poker machines were being used for illegal gambling.
The GBI executed search warrants at a Chevron at 1217 Rockmart Rd. and a Shell station at 157 Commerce Dr. in Villa Rica.
Find out what's happening in Douglasvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The warrants were for violations of Georgia's commercial gambling laws, the GBI said in a news release.
While searching the locations, agents collected evidence related to criminal gambling and seized money gained from the illegal use of the gaming machines.
Under Georgia law "coin operated amusement machines" may reward credits that can be redeemed for lottery tickets or store merchandise. The GBI says agents discovered players were, instead, receiving cash payouts for winning credits.
Image via Shutterstock
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.