ASHEVILLE, NC — The Buncombe County sheriff and district attorney announced a new initiative called Operation Blue Note on Friday to crack down on illegal video gaming machines.
During a news conference, Sheriff Van Duncan said machines are back operating illegally after a raid last year in March.
Van Duncan said 20 operators have already been identified and will receive notice by mail in the next two weeks that the gaming machines are illegal. Operators can then voluntarily get rid of the machines or face prosecution.
Because North Carolina’s law has some reference to gaming being legal if there is more skill than luck involved, District Attorney Todd Williams said there have been legal battles that have ended up in the state’s supreme court. However, Williams said he is taking the position that all video gaming machines are illegal in North Carolina.
