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Two video poker machines were seized at a western Lincoln County business Wednesday night, authorities said today.
According to a news release from the Lincolnton/Lincoln County Interagency Narcotics Unit, an officer entered the Kountry Korner on N.C. 10 in Vale and played $20 in a machine called Sweepstakes, which is similar to the now-banned video poker machines.
The officer built credits of $137 and asked the clerk if he could cash in the winnings, authorities said.
The release said the clerk advised the officer that he could take his winnings in merchandise or gasoline and that is when the officer identified himself. Paying off winnings
The clerk and owner, Beena Patel, 41, of Lincolnton, was charged with operating and possessing a slot machine and operating video gaming.
Mark Robert Adam, 48, of Phafftown is also facing the same charges, authorities said. Authorities said he was a service man for a Winston-Salem company working on the machines and dividing the money with the clerk.
Officers seized two machines, his van and $10,700 in cash.
Patel and Adam were released on $1,500 unsecured bond.
