Lexington County Gambling Ring Raking $60K per Week, Busted

A clandestine gambling ring in Lexington County that was operating illegal slot machines and video poker devices raked in between $60,000 and $100,000 per week before federal authorities intervened, according to an indictment. 

Bookkeeper Pleaded Guilty

The case, which had remained largely under the radar, came to light this week when one of the accused, M.T., admitted guilt in federal court.

According to The State’s John Monk, the 50-year-old, who served as the bookkeeper for the operation, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to run an illegal gambling business. 

U.S. Judge Sherri Lydon accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for May 22. M.T. could face a maximum of five years in prison. 

Five Residents Involved

M.T. is one of five Lexington County residents involved in the scheme, which was secretly indicted by a federal grand jury last summer. 

The indictment details a sophisticated gambling enterprise that operated at two locations, 5042 Platt Springs Road and 1320 South Lake Drive. 

The business ran nearly around the clock, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, requiring two shifts of workers to keep it running.

At the center of the allegations is F.M., a businessman who owned the land where the illicit gambling activities took place. 

F.M. is facing charges of conspiracy and operating an illegal gambling business. 

His attorney, Victor Li, argued that the case against his client is financially motivated, claiming the government is targeting him to seize valuable real estate for profit.

“They are only targeting F. because they think they can get money from him,” Li said. 

The attorney further questioned the fairness of charging his client while legal gambling options, such as casino cruises from Little River and Native American casinos in North Carolina, are readily available.

F.M.’s various business ventures, including 1 Auto House LLC, the Comedy House, and Next Level Grading, are also mentioned in the indictment. 

Authorities say over 25 illegal gambling machines, including “Pot O Gold” slots and video gaming devices offering games like Shamrock Ts, Joker Poker, and Keno, were housed on his property.

Surveillance Cameras Selected Visitors 

According to the indictment, McCary operated discreetly, attracting patrons through word-of-mouth and screening visitors using surveillance cameras. 

“F.M. allowed only those people who they knew and trusted to enter the business to play the slot machines and the illegal gambling machines,” the indictment states.

Alongside M.T. and F.M., three others, J.H., D.R., and D.H., face similar conspiracy charges. D.R. previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in an illegal gambling business.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agents originally made arrests in the case before federal authorities took over the prosecution. 

Federal prosecutor Lothrop Morris is leading the case.

Last April, a former Richland County coroner was charged in a similar case involving an illegal gambling house in Irmo.