The Berks County District Attorney, John T. Adams, along with Chief County Detective Michael J. Gombar, and Pennsylvania State Police Major Jeffrey Fisher and Captain James Jones, held a press conference Friday morning on the raid conducted Thursday morning at 777 Casino in Kenhorst.
DA Adams reported two search warrants were executed at approximately 11am on Thursday at Windfall Amusements 777 Casino, located at 1985 New Holland Rd., Ste 500, Shillington, PA, otherwise known as The Kenhorst Plaza, as well as at 205 Eastwick Dr., Exeter Township, PA.
While serving the warrant at 205 Eastwick Dr., two men were encountered. DA Adams stated they are “definitely involved in some fashion,” but he does not yet know their “particular role.”
The search warrant resulted in seizure of $67,768 and 57 video gambling devices. The search warrant was executed based on an anonymous complaint in February 2020.
The tip was due to a Reading Eagle article which stated the casino was a newly opened business. According to the article, the Kenhorst Borough heard a request from Windfall Amusements to add 30 more video gambling devices in addition to a previous 60 devices. The investigation has been ongoing since that time, but was stalled due to COVID-19.
The 777 Casino was discovered to be unlicensed, though advertised on Facebook as a casino with admission to 21 and over only. The video gambling devices are illegal as they were unregulated and not monitored by the PA State Gaming Commission.
DA Adams related that the recent approval of Penn National Gaming’s Morgantown location resulted in about $7.5 million paid to the state, whereas Windfall Amusements did not pay as they were not licensed. Illicit gambling operations, according to Adams, are subject to criminal sanctions.
While answering questions, PSP Capt. Jones explained that while skills game devices can be found at many businesses, such as gas stations, and do “possess similar characteristics”, it’s the software that makes the difference in determining if it is actually a gambling device, which must be licensed to be legal.
DA Adams thanked the PSP for their “assistance in this investigation,” stating they were “the movers and shakers behind this.” Adams expects charges to be filed as a result of the raid.
Adams also encouraged those who are concerned about other potentially illegal gaming devices or casinos to contact the DA’s office or PSP. The investigation is ongoing.
