Federal and state authorities raid bingo supplier

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A Youngstown-based company was raided by federal and state authorities executing search warrants into purported illegal gambling operations.

The 2750 Salt Springs Road business was named among 35 search warrants executed Wednesday with 30 conducted in Ohio, three in Florida and two in Georgia.

That is an address for Nannicola Inc., but the company issued a statement saying that the search was related to another company on the premises.

“There are multiple businesses that operate and hold records at 2750 Salt Springs Road. ... The search warrants were related to Playtronics Games Inc. Playtronics Games Inc. provides skill-based games that are allowed under Ohio law,” it said.

“All of the games represented by Playtronics Inc. have been tested and approved for use in Ohio by an independent testing company.”

According to its own website, Nannicola is one the largest distributors of charitable gaming and fundraising products in the United States and employs about 75 people.

Agencies involved Wednesday afternoon included the Ohio Investigative Unit, the U.S. Secret Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Other agencies from Ohio included the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Euclid, Parma and Springfield [Clark County] police departments, as well as the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

“Though little information has been provided to Playtronics Inc. leadership about what prompted the search, the corporation is fully complying and cooperating with all requests from law enforcement officials and hopes to promptly resolve the matter,” the statement continued. “Standard business operations are expected to resume” today.

OIU enforces laws on liquor, food stamp and tobacco offenses for the Department of Public Safety.

The case is part of an on-going investigation that began in 2013, when OIU, the Secret Service and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office began looking into those responsible for manufacturing, importing, distributing and operating illegal video slot machines.

“Electronic video gambling machines are illegal in Ohio,” OIU Enforcement Commander Eric Wolf said. “These companies set the odds, and often times the Ohio citizens lose.”

Criminal charges will be filed at a later date, as law enforcement agencies continue their investigation, a news release said.

“This case could not have been as successful if it were not for the partnerships we formed with the Florida and Georgia officials, as well as the Secret Service and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office,” Wolf added. “These partnerships are pivotal when it comes to ensuring a safer Ohio for our residents and guests.”

During those searches, agents filed 525 administrative charges against 22 Ohio liquor permits. Agents seized 148 electronic video-gambling devices. The charges were knowingly permitting gambling, keeper of the place and operating an electronic gambling machine.