Michigan gaming regulators executed a search warrant at a Muskegon bar as part of an active investigation into alleged illegal gambling, seizing machines, cash, and records tied to suspected unlicensed gaming activity.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board, working alongside the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and the Muskegon Police Department, searched DJ’s Pub, located at 2064 Henry St., following months of surveillance prompted by a January tip alleging the business was operating unlicensed gaming machines and paying out winnings in cash and gift cards.
Items Seized During the Raid
Investigators confiscated:
- Three suspected illegal slot-style gaming machines
- $1,200 in gift cards allegedly used to pay out winnings
- $3,874 in suspected gambling proceeds
- Additional records believed to be connected to the operation
No arrests have been made, and authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
Months of Observation Led to Search Warrant
According to the MGCB, investigators visited DJ’s Pub multiple times in the months following the initial tip and observed the machines in operation. The bar, operated by Star 8, Inc., has a prior history with state regulators: in 2021, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission cited the establishment for violations of the state’s liquor code related to illegal gambling.
Regulators Emphasize Consumer Protection Risks
MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said the agency will continue to pursue businesses that operate outside Michigan’s regulated gaming framework.
“Illegal gambling machines operate with no oversight, no consumer protections, and no accountability,” Williams said. “When we receive credible information that a business is running unlicensed gaming devices, we act on it. This search warrant reflects our continued commitment to enforcing Michigan’s gaming laws and holding accountable those who choose to operate outside them.”
State officials warn that unlicensed gambling devices circumvent the regulatory safeguards required of legal gaming operations, leaving players without protections and exposing businesses to enforcement actions.
