Cherokee officials crack down on illegal gambling

By Mashaun D. Simon

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Woodstock restaurant was the site of an illegal gambling operation, law enforcement officials said Friday.

Friday afternoon, detectives, members of the agency’s VIPER Unit, and Cherokee County Marshals executed a warrant at the Buffalo House.

There they found numerous gaming machines and an undisclosed amount of cash, said officials.

Detectives have been investigating the establishment for two months. During that time, undercover officers were paid in cash for credits they earned on the gaming machines.

Pay outs as high as $20,000 have been reported to sheriff officials.

The owner of the restaurant, Chang Chun Wu, 51, of Acworth, was arrested and charged with commercial gambling and keeping a gambling place. Additional arrests are possible.

“The Criminal Investigation Division has also received information on other establishments in the county who are allegedly participating in similar gaming activity,” officials said in a statement. “The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office will continue to pursue suspects who are involved illegal gambling in Cherokee County.”