Five retail shops in Dunklin County were sued Tuesday by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, who alleges the businesses are operating illegal gambling machines on their premises.
The businesses — Discount Spirits and Tobacco, Kennett Liquor and Tobacco, and Laura’s Mini Mart in Kennett; and Dixie Package and Swindle’s Quick Shop in Malden — are accused of violating Missouri consumer protection laws by housing unregulated machines and games used for gambling.
Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain has also filed criminal charges against the five businesses.
“When retail shops turn a blind eye to or facilitate illegal gambling, they are not only ignoring the law, they are putting our communities at risk,” Hanaway said in an emailed statement.
