Dunklin County law enforcement praised for efforts to remove illegal gambling machines

A joint law enforcement effort Monday targeted illegal gambling machines throughout Dunklin County.

It total, eight search warrants were executed, Dunklin County Sheriff Nick Darter said in a press release.

“As a result of a coordinated effort, there were 73 machines seized and an undisclosed amount of money,” Darter said. “These machines are causing not just family problems, but problems around communities.”

Assisting in the operation were Malden Department of Public Safety, Kennett Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control.

Four large box trucks for hire were parked Monday outside the Dunklin County Justice Center, and Darter confirmed they were used in search warrant executions.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” Darter’s press release stated. “We, along with other law enforcement agencies, are continuing to work to address the situation.”

A letter from the Missouri Gaming Commission offered props to Darter and his team for their efforts.

“We commend the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office for taking action to protect their citizens by seizing more than 70 illegal gambling machines operating in their jurisdiction,” the letter read. “Like so many other Missouri communities, Dunklin County is fed up with the negative impacts of these “video lottery terminals (VLTs)” that have illegally spread in convenience stores, gas stations and other community establishments.

“The unpopularity of these machines is echoed in communities across the state,” the commission’s letter stated. “Last month the results of a new statewide survey by Public Opinion Strategies revealed that clear majorities of every major demographic group — Republicans, conservatives, frequent churchgoers, Democrats, liberals, independents and African Americans — all oppose VLTs. The bottom line is that Missourians do not want these devices in their communities, and we encourage other communities to follow Dunklin County’s lead and take action on a local level.”

In addition, the commission urged voters to support those politicians who seek to rid the state of illegal gaming.

“We also want voters to know that their voice makes a difference,” the letter stated. “We urge citizens to call their local representatives and also ask their state representatives to vote against bills that seek to legalize video lottery terminals in our state this session.”