Michigan Charity Poker Supplier Faces ChargesState Pursuing Illegal Gambling Charges Against Total G Services |
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The owner of a Michigan company that specializes in running charitable gambling on behalf of non-profits is in hot water with the state for allegedly engaging in illegal gambling, according to a report from The Detroit News.
Fouad “Fred” Haddad, who owns Total G Services, is due in court on Mar. 19. He allegedly ran the illegal gambling operation at Paradise Cafe in the city of Warren.
Haddad’s supplier license allegedly was suspended, so he couldn’t run the games.
Authorities found more than just poker when they entered the establishment:
When the Paradise Cafe was raided by the Warren Police Department late last year, authorities seized more than $36,000, four electronic gambling machines, two poker tables, eight $1,000 poker chips from MGM Grand casino, seven televisions, three vehicles and five pounds of marijuana.
Two dealers were arrested, along with two customers. Thirteen others were cited for gambling.
Michigan is currently in a legal battle with a charity association over rules pertaining to charity poker in the state. Michigan wants to have a lot of control over the games and prevent permanent poker rooms from existing, similar to the one operated by Haddad.
Charities claim the state is trying to kill a legitimate revenue stream, as well as destroy a charity gaming industry in the state that employs many people.
Some claim the state is trying to protect the revenue of the Las Vegas-style casinos in the state. Detroit casinos are coming off their third straight year of revenue decline.
More access to regulated poker is always better for the long-term health of the game, but Michigan gaming regulators aren’t concerned about the poker community.
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