Is this Chamblee or Vegas? Big payouts lead to major gambling raid

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia allows video gaming machines as long as they pay out store credit or prizes -- not cash -- and no more than $5 worth on any single play.

Chamblee police say six businesses took gambling way over the limit, paying out up to $20,000 jackpots for one lucky spin.

"That's a pretty big amount of money for someone being in Chamblee, not Vegas," Capt. Michael Beller said.

Police raided those businesses and arrested 14 people Sunday night on gambling charges. An undercover officer had visited the businesses last week, secretly obtaining audio and video of the illegal operations, police said.

"Every single place that we raided was giving out cash," Beller said. "With all of these game machines, not one of ‘em had a coin slot. They take ones, fives, tens, twenties, fifties and hundreds."

Police seized 74 machines, mostly "Triple 7″ slots and video poker, two guns and at least $20,000 on hand for payouts. That does not include whatever money is in the machines.

"We haven't had time yet to open them up and count it," Beller said.

The businesses raided were Di Vang, 4646 Buford Highway, Suite C; Linda's TD, 4646 Buford Highway, Suite A; De Nhat Bida, 3308 Laventure Drive, Suite B-170; Cafe Lido, 3308 Laventure Drive, Suite 110; Chot Nho Billiards, 2494 Chamblee Tucker Road; and May Ngan, 3240 Shallowford Road.

All the suspects are in jail, awaiting a magistrate court hearing.

Twelve are charged with felony commercial gambling, two with misdemeanor gambling. Beller said the operation targeted managers and owners who were paying out cash, and that most patrons were let go.

Members of the Doraville and Oakwood police departments assisted in the raids. Beller said the investigation started three weeks ago after police received several tips.