3 arrested in gambling investigation

Three people were arrested Friday after a gambling investigation in Augusta.

Anil Kumar Allati, Pranav Aleti and Bunchi Reddy were charged after an investigation at Exxon on the 2000 block of Gordon Highway, which is owned and operated by Allati. According to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office incident report, the Georgia State Lottery Association notified the sheriff's office that the store had high numbers of hand counts and jackpot totals on coin-operated machines that weren't consistent with other inspected stores.

It was believed that employees and managers were paying out cash from the machines, which is a violation of Georgia law. According to the report, winnings from the machines cannot be paid in cash, alcohol, tobacco or firearms.

An investigation began April 26. According to the report, a confidential informant was equipped with an audio and video recording device along with $100 to play the machines. The informant played for about 45 minutes before going to the clerk, who reached under the counter and handed over $60, the report said.

On April 30, another informant was handed $100 by the clerk after playing the machines for about 45 minutes, the report stated. A third informant received $80 from a clerk after playing for 45 minutes on May 14, the report said.

During the investigation, Aleti and Reddy were identified as the two clerks who gave the money to the informants.

Allati, 46, was charged with commercial gambling, rental or keeping a gambling place and a Superior Court bench warrant. Aleti, 43, and Reddy, 57, were charged with commercial gambling.

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