Westmont police seize gambling machine from gas station
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By Tisha Lewis, FOX 32 News reporter - bio | email
WESTMONT, Ill. (FOX 32 News) -
At first glance, the Fountain O Silver looks like an arcade gaming machine but look again. Nestled between gas pumps at a Westmont BP, the black, red and yellow machine accepts quarters only from customers like Tyler Skerett who are willing to play a game of chance.
"I put a quarter in and it knocked a couple of other quarters over but it didn't really do nothing. I guess the goal is to knock some other quarters over and win some coins," Skerett said.
The game invites customers to insert one quarter and test the odds. The problem is, this Fountain O Silver machine is illegal here at this gas station. And while we were outside, a police officer was inside, conducting an investigation.
"I wouldn't think that it would be illegal for it to be there, especially outside," agreed customer Sandy Davies.
"How can you stand in front of a gas station and gamble? It looks like something that should be in a casino," said Dustin Johnson.
Westmont Police Chief Thomas Mulhearn said the game is illegal.
"I'd like to thank you and FOX News for bringing this to our attention. Our initial investigation reveals that it does meet the definition for a gambling device, basically you're playing a game of chance for a thing of value," Mulhearn said.
Westmont police seized the gambling device and the nearly $50 in change inside.
"BP does not own or operate this gas station, but we expect all of the independent gas station owners we do business with to obey the law and conduct their business in accordance with our brand standards," BP said in a statement.
Mulhearn's reaction was more straightforward.
"To be putting out a device like that for children, underage people, I'm shocked," he said.
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