By LEONARD GRAY

LAPLACE – One young woman was upset and angry as she left Hot Slots and Tattoos in LaPlace on Friday afternoon, unable to get a new piece of skin art. The business was being raided.

Twenty-eight slot machines, made in Japan and operated with tokens, were in the midst of being hauled away by Louisiana State Police Gaming Division investigators.

Spokesman Sgt. Paul Edmonson said the raid was the “beginning stage” of an investigation of illegal gambling devices, the mere possession of which is against the law. It led to a total of 383 machines being confiscated during the weekend.

“It’s a very serious offense,” Edmonson added, and said the maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

No arrests have been made as of yet, Edmonson said, and explained the Gaming Division will confer with local district attorneys about specific charges to be filed.

The owner in LaPlace apparently purchased the machines at a flea market and was operating them in the mistaken belief he did not need state licenses and approval.

“This is about educating the public,” Edmonson said.

The law does provide for the possession of antique slot machines under certain circumstances and with state approval. An antique slot machine is at least 25 years old. Anyone not sure about the status of their machine should call 225-922-2155.

A half-dozen troopers from the Gaming Division descended upon 2917 La. Highway 51, Suite D, at 4 p.m., warrants in hand and shut the business down, as the troopers opened each machine and broke the bolts holding each to wooden shelves.

The raid was led by Capt. Jenny May, who deferred questions to Edmonson.

The information obtained led the strike force to the Greater Baton Rouge Flea Market in Prairieville and confiscated 15 machines, the Denham Springs flea market for 11 machines and the Florida Boulevard Flea Market in Baton Rouge for seven more. This led the Gaming Division strike force to a Baton Rouge warehouse, where 322 more illegal slot machines were confiscated, Edmonson said.

Altogether, 383 slot machines were grabbed with an estimated value of $150,000. Each machine was tagged with an “evidence” sticker, removed from the premises, photographed and placed on a rental truck to be hauled away and destroyed.

Asked what made these machines from legal gaming devices such as video poker and other slot machines, Edmonson pointed out these were unlicensed for operation and the business had no state license to operate the machines.

What’s more, he added, “These machines were priced to sell,” and pointed out sticker prices on several, from $300 to $600.

What it boils down to, the spokesman said, is a revenue issue, where the state is denied its revenue from the operation of gaming devices. Customarily, when black market slot machines are sold to operators, they are placed in illegally-operated casinos, where the state has no tracking of machines or revenue.

Additionally, Edmonson said, the law sets forth certain guidelines and criteria for the operation of a gaming device, including criminal and financial background checks. Also, only specific businesses are permitted to operate such machines outside of casinos – truck stops, restaurants and bars.