Across Australia, pokies are a hugely popular gaming activity among adults – but there are only permitted in certain venues and locations. Recently, several pokies were discovered in a private home as part of a crackdown on illegal pokie parlours. According to a report in Adelaide Now, four poker machines were found in a home at Walkley Heights.
They were discovered during a police raid, which also uncovered bank notes, coins and coin cups. A room in the home was designated as a ‘pokie lounge’ in which punters could spend money on illegal casino games. Several popular pokies were found on the premises, including: Dolphin Cove, Jewel of Arabia, Corporate Queen and Where's the Gold ™.
They were set up professional, so that they were able to accept bets and pay out cash prizes. This is the latest bust in a crackdown on illegal pokie parlours that was launched last year. Since the investigation started, 18 illegal poker machines were discovered at many venues across the state. While many illegal gambling rooms have been discovered, the Walkley Heights home is the largest to have been found by local authorities so far.
The police have been working together with Consumer and Business Services to find these venues. The combined effort has been very successful thus far, as the two organisations are sharing information to track down illegal gaming parlours.
“We received information that there was a ‘pokies lounge” set up in a private house, with four fully functioning machines, which appeared to be professionally set up, complete with coin cups,” Mr Soulio said. At the time of the raid, the owners of the property were not home.
The authorities have identified the home owners, and they are currently on the hunt for these individuals who could face a $35 000 fine or two years in prison. The pokies at the home were seized, and they will be destroyed.
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