Gambling crackdown in Georgia leads to nine arrests

In a recent crackdown on illegal gambling in Georgia, nine people found themselves in hot water. This was after a joint agency investigation uncovered a scheme involving coin operated amusement machines (COAMs).

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) and Effingham County Sheriff’s Office took quick action, leading to multiple arrests for violating Georgia’s gambling laws. While the full extent of the operation is still unfolding, authorities said they are still searching for more individuals involved in the illegal payouts.

A lengthy investigation

After a lengthy joint agency gambling investigation, the GBI Commercial Gambling Unit, along with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, executed arrest warrants across Effingham County on December 12, 2024. These warrants were in connection with violations of Georgia’s gambling laws.

During the investigation, agents determined businesses were operating COAMs and giving customers cash and tobacco payouts for any winning credits they obtained. In Georgia, these COAMs must be properly licensed by the Georgia Lottery and any credits that are earned can only be redeemed for lottery tickets and/or store merchandise, not for cash or tobacco.

Arrests were made

Because of the illegal cash payouts, arrest warrants were secured and law enforcement officials arrested and charged the following individuals, according to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office:

• Deepkumar Patel, 29 — charged with three counts of paying out tobacco for accrued credits on COAMs.
• Hemal “Harry” Patel, 36 — charged with three counts of paying out currency for accrued credits on COAMs.
• Hiralben Patel, 43 — charged with one count of paying out tobacco for accrued credits on COAMs.
• Michelle Price, 44 — charged with one count of paying out currency for accrued credits on COAMs.
• Mineshkumar Patel, 59 — charged with two counts of paying out currency for accrued credits on COAMs.
• Rajesh Patel, 60 — charged with one count of paying out tobacco for accrued credits on COAMs.
• Pushpakumar Patel, 62 — charged with two counts of paying out tobacco for accrued credits on COAMs.
• Veronica Potter, 63 — charged with one count of paying out tobacco for accrued credits on COAMs.
• Debra McFadden, 64 — charged with two counts of paying out currency for accrued credits on COAMs.

All of the suspects were from Effingham County and the charges are misdemeanors. Authorities said the investigation is still ongoing, and additional arrests are pending at this time.

What is a COAM?

COAM are coin operated amusement machines in Georgia. There are two types of COAMs in Georgia — Class A and Class B — which are defined by Georgia statute.

Class A COAMs would be something like skeeball machines, pinball machines, or typical arcade games that accept coins or bills. Class B COAMs are more redemption devices that are also games of skill. These machines may allow a successful player to carry over points won on one play to a subsequent play or plays, like a slot machine.

Starting on April 10, 2013, the Georgia Lottery started regulating the industry. Any businesses that allow these COAMs to be placed and made available to the public must be licensed by the Georgia Lottery.

Enjoy playing the Georgia Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.